Reps. Flowers, Ford Seek to Restore Prayer Back Into Classrooms
Rev. Jakes: It will reduce violence
By Chinta Strausberg
State Rep. Mary Flowers (D-31st), along with several co-sponsors including Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-8th), Tuesday confirmed she has introduced HB0165 that if passed would bring prayer back into the classroom.
Her bill amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. If passed, it would allow students in the public schools to voluntarily engage in individually initiated, non-disruptive prayer, provides that such praying may take place at any time during the school day. If passed, it would become effective immediately.
According to Flowers, the House Committee amendment No. 2 replaces everything after the enacting clause and amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act.
Under this bill, students in the public schools may, during the school day, voluntarily engage in individually or collectively initiated, non-disruptive prayer or religious-based meetings, including without limitation prayer groups, B I B L E (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth) clubs, or meet at the flagpole for prayer days (instead of providing that students in the public schools may voluntarily engage in individually initiated, non-disruptive prayer). It would become effective immediately.
Interviewed in her Springfield office, when asked by this reporter why did she introduce this bill, Flowers said, so children can understand the importance of the Bible and know what the Bible is. The Bible is the basic instructions before leaving earth. It is God’s word in the Bible.
Flowers said many children don’t know that the things they need to be successful in life is right there in the Bible ¦like thou shall not kill, and ¦how to honor thy mother and father¦. Those are basic instructions that we all grew up with every day.
However, a lot of children have not been exposed to the B I B L E and they want to be in a club or a gang but they can be in the B I B L E club or the B I B L E gang, said Flowers. The Bible is a book of instructions.
Referring to years past, Flowers said, Grandma hands would take us to church, make us get down on our knees and pray, but now days grandmothers are much younger and they are not taught about the Bible. That is why this is a good opportunity for the kids who do know something about it and want to start an organization or a prayer club.
Last October, Spencer Leak,Sr., owner of the Leak & Sons Funeral Home, held a meeting where he rallied support to get prayer restored to the classroom.
Also in Springfield was Rev. Paul Jakes, president and chairman of  the Christian Council On Urban Affairs and pastor of the New Tabernacle of Faith Baptist Church, who believes prayer in the classroom can reduce violence.
“This will help young people have focus ¦and young people should take advantage of organizing bible studies as many have done years ago and use it as a tool to keep their minds focused and strengthened by the word of God,” Jakes said. “This will also reduce violence because they will be involved with something more positive. It is one of the greatest tools to help youth stay focused and to be directed by the Holy Spirit.”
Jakes said he doesn’t believe non-believers will be able to scuttle this bill because it will be done on a voluntary basis.
Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.
