Court refuses to review ruling striking down VMI prayers

[Khephra]

Court refuses to review ruling striking down VMI prayers

An evenly divided federal appeals court refused Wednesday to reconsider a ruling that Virginia Military Institute's traditional group supper prayers are unconstitutional.

The 6-6 vote of the full 4th Circuit Court of Appeals lets stand a ruling by a three-judge panel of the court that the prayers _ though nondenominational and voluntary _ violate the constitutional separation of church and state.

"Put simply, VMI's supper prayer exacts an unconstitutional toll on the consciences of religious objectors," the panel said in its unanimous ruling in April.

Virginia Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore said in a statement Wednesday the state would appeal the decision to the U.S. Supreme Court.

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http://www.fredericksburg.com/News/apmethods/apstory?urlfeed=D7STAHF80.xml

[Sinistrous]

1. Another confirmation of the fact that

you cannot have freedom OF religion without freedom FROM religion.

One small candle of hope in the Dark Ages redux.