Moment of Silence back in IL Schools

[adnelson60087]

An Illinois law requiring a daily moment of silence in public schools is back in effect after a two-year hiatus.
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Illinois State Board of Education notified schools Friday that the law is back.
A federal injunction barring the moment of silence has been in place for two years.
Illinois legislators approved the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act in October 2007. The law was challenged in court by Rob Sherman, an outspoken atheist, and his daughter Dawn, a student at Buffalo Grove High School in suburban Chicago.
U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman overturned the law in 2009, but a federal appeals court ruled the law is constitutional because it doesn't specify prayer.
Gettleman reportedly lifted the injunction Thursday.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/01/14/398112ilmomentofsilence_ap.html

Here is a second article I just found as well.

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/franklinpark/news/3024524,franklin-park-silence-011711-s1.article

__________

I just don't have the words or energy to show my disgust.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. I don't have a problem with this

It's a minor issue, IMO. As long as they aren't praying out loud, using a prayer mandated by some religious nuts, I think this is okay.

It also may set a calm tone for the day and that's never a bad thing.

[adnelson60087]

2. We normally agree on many points

but I must disagree here. Separation of Church and State issues are never minor, especially where schools are concerned. As an IL educator who will likely have to deal with this soon, I'm very concerned by it. It's just plain uncomfortable and meaningless.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. It's just a moment of silence, not a prayer

If it was a prayer, I'd have a problem.

[tortoise1956]

4. A moment of silence is harmless by itself

as long as there is no direct tie to a particular religion or belief system. I'm with P2BLK on this one.

[CRK7376]

5. I don't have a problem

with silence in a classroom. In fact it maybe a blessing (pun intended) for a few minutes of quiet. Just don't expect me to bow my head or shut my eyes in prayer. Why do we bow our heads and shut our eyes for prayers anyway? Never understood that purpose or part of the prayer process. Just sitting in silence is ok with me.