Monday, August 27, 2007

Ellery Schempp

A quick note about an undersung American hero.

Fifty years ago, then seventeen year old Ellery Schempp stood up against mandatory prayer in his public school. This made way for an important court ruling, the first of many that paved the way for our public schools to become free of proselytizing and religious discrimination. The associated press has a great article on Mr. Schempp and an upcoming book about him, by New York University law proffesor, Stephen Solomon. At 67, Mr. Schempp is still active in the fight for the separation of church and state.

Thanks to Ed Brayton at Dispatches from the Culture Wars.

2 comments:

Beth said...

Do you have a problem with any prayer as long as it isn't mandatory?

DuWayne Brayton said...

As long as it isn't officiated by school staff, or led during official school events, not at all.