Cedar Shoals principal apologizes for reading `School Prayer' poem

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Posted 1:20PM on Tuesday, November 30, 2004

ATHENS - The principal of Cedar Shoals High School apologized Monday for reading a poem called ``The New School Prayer'' over the school's intercom, which brought complaints from some parents who said it violated the principle of separation of church and state. Tommy Craft said he wanted not to promote religion but to provoke thought and discussion among students about the changing political climate in school when he read the poem the Tuesday before the Thanksgiving break. ``I apologized to them today in another statement,'' Craft said. ``I said that there was no attempt to individualize or to bring ridicule on any particular person with the poem.'' The poem, which has circulated on the Internet since at least 1992, is written in the rhyming style of the children's prayer that begins ``Now I lay me down to sleep.'' It refers to prayer not being allowed in school, although students can ``dress like freaks, and pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks'' or ``elect a pregnant Senior Queen.'' The poem mentions the ability to get condoms and birth control, as well as study ``witchcraft, vampires and totem poles.'' ``But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, no word of God must reach this crowd,'' the poem said. Some parents have complained to both Craft and Clarke County School Superintendent Lewis Holloway. ``Basically, I found the poem offensive, but even if I didn't, I still would believe it crossed the line between church and state,'' said Ginger Smith, whose daughter is a junior at Cedar Shoals. Smith also objected to misrepresentations in the poem. She said, for example, that students are allowed to wear crosses or other religious items, to wear clothing with religious messages and to pray in school in some circumstances. Holloway said the district had received ``several calls'' from people who were upset about the poem. He would not discuss any action taken against Craft. ``We don't discuss personnel discipline publicly,'' Holloway said. ``It's not within our legal right to say anything about that.'' The poem has been in circulation for several years and often is credited to an anonymous student. Snopes.com, an Internet site devoted to urban legends, says it can't be proven that it was written by a student. In 1992, part of the verse was published in The Washington Times, but a partial version with a 1985 date on it also is in circulation, the Web site says. - Here is a version of ``The New School Prayer,'' which was read over the Cedar Shoals High School intercom last week by principal Tommy Craft, who apologized Monday: Now I sit me down in school Where praying is against the rule For this great nation under God Finds mention of Him very odd. If Scripture now the class recites, It violates the Bill of Rights. And anytime my head I bow Becomes a Federal matter now. Our hair can be purple, orange or green, That's no offense; it's a freedom scene. The law is specific, the law is precise. Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice. For praying in a public hall Might offend someone with no faith at all. In silence alone we must meditate, God's name is prohibited by the state. We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks, And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks. They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible. To quote the Good Book makes me liable. We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen, And the ``unwed daddy,'' our Senior King. It's ``inappropriate'' to teach right from wrong, We're taught that such ``judgments'' do not belong. We can get our condoms and birth controls, Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles. But the Ten Commandments are not allowed, No word of God must reach this crowd. It's scary here I must confess, When chaos reigns the school's a mess. So, Lord, this silent plea I make: Should I be shot, my soul please take!

Cedar Shoals principal apologizes for reading `School Prayer&#39; poem

Cedar Shoals principal apologizes for reading `School Prayer' poem