WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court started its session Oct. 2 by telling a federal appeals court to reconsider a decision which had allowed students in a Florida county to elect a classmate to offer a prayer or inspirational message at graduation ceremonies.
The High Court vacated the ruling, pointing to its June decision striking down student-led prayers at high school football games.
The policy in Duvall County, Fla., was introduced in 1993 after the Supreme Court banned clergy-led graduation prayers.
The policy allows seniors to decide whether or not to elect a member of the class to give a “brief opening and/or closing message” at graduation. Any such message is delivered without prior review by school officials. The policy was challenged in 1998, but upheld in March by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
The appeals court based its decision on the “total absence of state involvement” in deciding whether there would be a graduation message, who would give it and what would be said.
The court said the policy is neutral toward religion because “the venue is equally available for religious or secular expression.”
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