At the school board meeting, during public comment time (the same 3 minutes any district resident may use to say almost anything), I prayed for peace, Godly wisdom, unity, and protection over all board members, all staff, and all students.

That prayer wasn’t political theater. It wasn’t grandstanding. It was a plea for peace and Godly wisdom.

Some didn’t like that I prayed – fair enough. This is America. You’re free to disagree. That’s the point of freedom.

Then came claims that my praying was unconstitutional. That the board was “endorsing religion” by not stopping me. Constitution Copies were lifted. Voices spoke. Fingers wagged. For the life of me, I can’t figure out how publicly asking God to make children feel loved, chosen, and full of divine purpose could be considered a threatening thing, but I guess…

The argument was essentially this: “We have free speech, but not that speech.” Which is… interesting… and a bit ironic.

The very document waved in outrage protects the right of citizens to speak from conviction – religious, philosophical, political, or otherwise. Perhaps more should read it.

The First Amendment doesn’t say:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion… unless someone gets offended, in which case please shush the Christians first.”

It doesn’t say:

“You may speak only if your beliefs are secular enough to meet someone else’s approval.”

It says government cannot establish a state religion and cannot prohibit the free exercise of religion.

The school board allowing me to use my 3 minutes the same way others use theirs isn’t endorsement. It’s equal treatment. If someone stood and read from Carl Sagan, Nietzsche, or Taylor Swift lyrics, that wouldn’t mean the board is endorsing their worldviews either.

Free speech applies to everyone – or it applies to no one.

Christopher Sanders

Lachine