VMI & Dinner Prayer

[Will Esser]

"LYNCHBURG, Virginia (AP) -- The Virginia Military
Institute has asked a federal court to dismiss a
lawsuit by two students who say the school's evening
dinner prayer violates their constitutional rights.

Maj. Gen. Josiah Bunting III, superintendent of the
state-supported school, said "no cadet is compelled to
participate in these prayers, or remain at attention
or bow his head while the prayer is being said."

The prayer has been said at VMI since at least the
1950s."

The full story can be found at:

http://fyi.cnn.com/2001/fyi/teachers.ednews/06/05/vmi.prayer.ap/index.html


Thoughts?  Does the military setting have any effect
on this issue (i.e. there seemingly wouldn't be the
same concerns of coercion as at an elementary school,
although the cadets are required to stand)?

Will



=====
Will Esser  --- Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein
Three First Union Center
401 South Tryon St., Suite 3000
Charlotte NC 28202
704-372-9000

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