The IHSA incorporated a provision into its terms and conditions for state series events (regional, sectional & state) - regardless of where the games are hosted - that prayers read over the public address system are not allowed. Team prayers or post-game prayer circles are not affected.
To read The Beacon's coverage of the story, click here
What are your thoughts? Do you think the IHSA is right in adding that to its terms and conditions of hosting an event?
Should area private schools choose to not host regionals/sectionals/state events because of this?
Let us know!
(Note: The Beacon will be publishing a follow up to this piece in early February)
Rick Armstrong 
Jim Owczarski 
Mike Knapp 
Regarding the article "Prayers Won't Be Heard". I agree with Aurora Central's Athletic Director, this nation was founded by God fearing people. Nearly all of our founding documents and our coinage attest to this. Now a small number of non-believers dictate to the majority in the public arena. It seems to me that public education started to decline when God was thrown out of the classroom. When will we stop allowing our culture and beliefs to be distroyed by just a few?
Dear Jim,
I am writing in response to the article that appeared in Monday's sports section. I am deeply saddened by the IHSA"s decision regarding prayer on the public address system. My husband is the Athletic Director for one of the area Catholic grade schools, and we pray before EVERY game. We both attended East Aurora High School, and proudly prayed before sporting events. Have any of the people who made complaints actually ever stopped to listen to the words? Most of the private school prayers being read say something to the effect of bless all the participants of this game, bless our coaches with wisdom as they instruct us, help us to be humble in our victory, or brave in our defeat, and we ask that the spectators be encouraging to all who compete here today. Exactly which part of that do they find offensive? They could simply stand by quietly without participating if they choose. Yet, it is perfectly acceptable behavior to scream at players, coaches, and especially referees when we think they are making poor decisions. Talk about offensive! Maybe these individuals should be banned from games, instead of prayer. Know this, they may be able to ban prayer on the PA system, but not in our hearts. May God have mercy on us all.
Barb Tews
People need to understand that religion of any sort and prayer are PERSONAL and PRIVATE choices. Therefore, prayers should be conducted in a PERSONAL and PRIVATE manner, and only those who wish to take part should have to listen and/or participate.
Some seem to forget that not everyone has the same beliefs. We have Christians, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, and, GASP! Atheists participating in and watching IHSA events.
I encourage teams to continue their pre- and post- game rituals, whatever they may be...just don't force me or mine to join you. Some of us outgrew our imaginary friends years ago.
NBC very recently conducted a poll that showed 86% of people believe we should continue the words "In God we trust" in the Pledge of Allegiance.
I am sure the same ratio would apply in this case. If the other 14% don't want to abide, that's just too bad.
I know that not everyone has the same beliefs as I do. However, in addition to paying taxes for the public schools I choose to pay a tuition to send my child to a private school where we can practice our faith among other things. If someone was coming to my house for dinner they would hear us pray before our meal - I would not make them pray but I would not pray because of them. They are in my house. The same applies for prayer before a game in a private school. No one is required to pray but that is what we do in our school. No one is asking you to pray just respect the fact that we are - don't tell us we can't pray in our own school because you don't pray. We do not complain when we do not pray in a public school - it is a matter of respect. With all the problems our world is facing right now this should be the least of peoples worries.