FFRF reminds Utah school there is no need to honor prayer at National Honors Society (Jan. 7, 2013)

Utah's Iron County Schools will no longer allow prayers to be given at school-sponsored events after receiving a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

FFRF received a complaint from a concerned parent that there were two student-led prayers given at Canyon View High School's National Honor Society Induction Ceremony. School officials actively participated in the prayer, bowing their heads. The parent reported to FFRF that incidents like this happen frequently in the district's schools.

FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel contacted the school district's superintendent, Jim Johnson, in a letter on Sept.19, 2012. Seidel informed Johnson that student-led prayers are unconstitutional and that federal law is violated when government employees endorse religion while in their government role.

Johnson responded in a Jan. 7, 2013 letter, to say he has reminded the district's principals that prayers are not to be given during school events.