Lawmaker wants 'Lord's Prayer' in schools - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Prayer in school has simmered on the back burner for years, but a bill introduced in the Indiana legislature has the controversy heating back up again.

Senator Dennis Kruse wants to allow "The Lord's Prayer" to be recited at the start of every school day in our public schools.

Currently, Indiana public school children start their day with 15 seconds of silent reflection. Some may pray during that time and some may not. A bill filed at the Statehouse would allow The Lord's Prayer to be said out loud during that time.

A retired teacher, Margaret Armstrong, agrees.

"I think prayer in school is a good thing. I have had children. I taught for 40 years, they asked me about praying. I say you can't take the prayer out of school, because you can pray at any time but I like beginning the school day with a prayer," she said.

Opinions on the proposal are varied.

"I don't believe it is a good idea, but I know a lot of people do, so that is what the legislature is for, to figure out and let people put in their opinions and let them sort it out however they deem fit," said Dennis Feiack.

"I don't think it is a bad idea at all. Taking prayer out of the schools was a bad idea from day one. I am all for bringing it back," said Thomas Fulton.

Senator Kruse, a Republican, had another controversial bill last year on creationism. It didn't go anywhere and some believe this will suffer the same fate.

The Center For Inquiry in Indianapolis says this issue was decided back in the 1960s.

"He is putting the school system on the spot, because he is saying they can require it. If they do, it is a lawsuit waiting to happen and it will cost the school systems and whoever does it a lot of money," said Reba Boyd Wooden with the Center For Inquiry.

For his part, Kruse released a short statement saying he didn't expect the bill to get a hearing. In fact, he says he only introduced the measure to draw attention to the issue.