UTC To Move To Moment Of Silence, Rather Than Prayer, Prior To Football Games

Monday, September 10, 2012

UTC officials said Monday that opening prayers at Moc football games will be discontinued in favor of a moment of silence.

Outgoing Chancellor Roger Brown said that would allow individuals to pray or reflect in their own way and be more inclusive.

A Wisconsin group, Freedom From Religion, had written a letter to university officials asking them to end the prayers. 

Members of the UTC Secular Student Alliance called it "an important victory for unalienable rights of freedom from state-sponsored religion."

The group said, "We are pleased to hear the University has chosen an inconclusive alternative over the former policy of Christian prayer before football games. A moment of silence provides a solemn and secular alternative to religious prayer and respects the rights of people of all faiths or no faiths.

"We encourage other Institutions currently embroiled in similar controversies to follow the university’s example."


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