USATodayBlogJun08

ACLU targets ‘Noon meal prayer’ at U.S. Naval Academy

 
The U.S. Naval Academy’s "noon meal prayer" is drawing criticism from a civil-rights group that says some midshipmen feel compelled to participate despite a constitutional prohibition on government-controlled religious activities.

The ACLU says in a letter to the school that existing case law would seem to bar the military from organizing "compulsory religious services mandated by the government." (Italics in original.)

"The midshipmen who have contacted the ACLU object to~ and feel coerced against conscience by~ the Academy’s continued requirement that they stand in attendance during an official noon prayer~" lawyer Deborah Jeon writes in the letter. "Plebes~ in particular~ find themselves in a difficult position during the noon prayer~ if~ as a matter of conscience~ they do not wish to join in prayer."
Jeon tells The Sun that her group heard from nine students "who opposed the practice~ which involves students who stand at "parade rest~" then bow their heads and fold their hands while chaplains recite a prayer."

[…]

“The academy does not intend to change its practice of offering midshipmen an opportunity for prayer or devotional thought during noon meal announcements~” Cmdr. Ed Austin~ an academy spokesman~ says in an e-mail to The New York Times.

Jeon tells The Sun that they’re considering a lawsuit.