Reporter Questions Usefulness of Prayer Laws

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Are prayer laws useless? That’s the claim from International Business Times reporter Ashley Portero who wrote that Florida’s “inspirational message” legislation, which officially took effect last week, is unlikely to be implemented by most public schools. The law allows students to read and recite inspirational messages at mandatory school events, including graduations, assemblies and sporting events. She suggests it was passed for political reasons — specifically, to boost Republicans this election year.

Mat Staver of Liberty Counsel says her assessment is off. He points out that one of the bill’s original sponsors was a Democrat adding “This can in no way be considered just a partisan issue; it was supported by both Democrats and Republicans,”

Staver also says the law simply reiterated what the courts have ruled.