Early this month Judge Fred Biery found that certain words cause irreparable damage; It was unclear to what...
Judge Biery’s ruling banned students and other speakers from using religious language in their speeches. Among the banned words or phrases are: “join in prayer,” “bow their heads,” “amen,” and “prayer.”
He also ordered the school district to remove the terms “invocation” and “benediction” from the graduation program.
“These terms shall be replaced with ‘opening remarks’ and ‘closing remarks,’” the judge’s order stated. His ruling also prohibits anyone from saying, “in [a deity’s name] we pray.”
Words, mind you, words. He was nullified by the 5th Circuit this past Friday. Expression won,
And Angela Hildenbrand, valedictorian of Medina Valley High School, near San Antonio publicly expressed her thanks in the form of prayer during the school's Saturday graduation ceremony.
Hildenbrand's prayer:
Lord, I thank you so much for the blessing of this day. And I just thank you for the amazing group of people that you surrounded me with.
God, I thank you for the support of our whole entire community through this case hearing; and also for Erin (Leu)and all the people at the Liberty Institute; and my parents, who’ve helped get me through the last couple of days.
Lord, I just thank you so much for your presence in our lives through these 18 years. And I just praise you for your incredible faithfulness through all adversity and all joy.
God, I thank you for the men and women who have given their lives helping to give us, and protect, the freedoms that we have today. And I ask that you please keep your hand of guidance on all of them — past, present and future military.
God, I thank you just so much for the freedom to be here today. And most of all, I thank you for loving us first.
God, I ask that you please keep each of us safe and well, as we all go our separate ways. And I can’t wait to see where you’ll be leading each of us. I ask that you’ll ask us all to remember where we come from, and to know where we stand.
God, I thank you for the gift of your Son and for the forgiveness that surpasses all understanding. And most of all, I thank you for your great love for us, and for our great nation, where we are free.
And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
As it should be.
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