In this mailing: Alan M. Dershowitz: Is Prayer in School Constitutional? Lawrence A. Franklin: The Philippines, Tired of China's Bullying, Restores Military Alliance with the U.S. Is Prayer in School Constitutional? by Alan M. Dershowitz  •  March 8, 2023 at 5:00 am       The First Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." That means any religion, all religions. It does not matter which. Please read not only the First Amendment but also the dozens of court cases that have applied it to prohibit religious prayer in public schools. Adams also suggested a false choice between prayer in the schools and guns in schools.... Neither prayers nor guns belong in schools. Too many Americans, like Mayor Adams, are prepared to ignore or defy the Constitution when it serves their political interests. He says: "Don't tell me about no separation of church and state." Others say: "Don't tell me about the 5th amendment, or the 4th amendment, or the First Amendment" – or the impeachment clause of the Constitution. "We want to get our way, and the Constitution be damned." So instead of starting each school day with a prayer, why don't we start each school day with the recitation of the First Amendment? Then the teacher can explain why prayer is a private matter – for the home, the church or the mind. It is not the job of the teacher to inculcate his or her religious views — or those of Mayor Adams. Too many Americans, like New York City Mayor Eric Adams, are prepared to ignore or defy the Constitution when it serves their political interests. He says: "Don't tell me about no separation of church and state." Others say: "Don't tell me about the 5th amendment, or the 4th amendment, or the First Amendment" – or the impeachment clause of the Constitution. "We want to get our way, and the Constitution be damned." (Image source: iStock) New York City Mayor Eric Adams, whom I generally admire, has advocated reintroducing prayer in public schools. The suggestion, though doubtless well-meant, is nevertheless unconstitutional. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion..." That means any religion, all religions. It does not matter which. The First Amendment poses no barrier to his personal preference. This is what Mayor Adams said: "Don't tell me about no separation of church and state." Continue Reading Article