Legal problems could result from a decision by school authorities in Cherokee, N.C., though, after an announcement over the weekend that Christian prayer will be broadcast over the school's public address system prior to a home game. Board Member Kathy Wolfe told the Asheville Citizen-Times newspaper that the prayer, a school tradition, will continue. It's a sovereignty issue. Teresa McCoy, a member of the Tribal Council, said that the Indians will fight any attempt to stop school prayer. I think some things are more powerful and important than a Supreme Court ruling.
Prayer is good medicine.
The Citizen-Times noted that most of the tribe's 12,500 members share that sentiment, and that many belong to either Methodist or Baptist denominations. Even more traditional Indian religious groups also support the prayer. One is the American Family Association, based in Tupelo, Miss., and headed by the Rev. Donald E. Wildmon. The association says that this is one way students can exercise their freedom of religion. There are outside, off-campus religious groups organizing these protests and undermining any claims that they are student initiated.