WASHINGTON DC, October 29, 2001: The US Supreme Court, confronting again the vexing issue of school prayer, rejected a challenge Monday to a state law requiring students to observe a daily minute of silence. The court did not comment in turning down an appeal from opponents who claim Virginia’s minute of silence is an unconstitutional government encouragement of classroom prayer in public schools. The state says the minute of silence does not violate the separation of church and state, because children may meditate or stare out the window for 60 seconds if they choose, so long as they are quiet. The court’s action means the daily minute of silence will continue, and opponents are left with no immediate options to challenge it.
A daily summary of world news for Hindus and non-Hindus alike