You're watching...
Sapreet Kaur, Robert V. Taylor and Rabbi Steve Burg on whether open prayer at cadet events is unconstitutional?
Also in this playlist...
Auto-advance: ON
Auto-advance
This transcript is automatically generated
-- that with a great panel on a spirited debates -- gonna -- -- run next topic.
Which is -- -- has been a part of West Point military academy since it's -- more than 200 years ago but this current there's a current controversy starting.
When an atheist cadet complained about the over prayers -- many school events like awards dinners holiday celebrations and graduation is.
Americans United for Separation of Church and State sending a letter to West Point warning -- out of me that government sponsored prayers.
At -- school events violates the First Amendment of the constitution.
The united states military at its best defends the fundamental rights of people including the right to believe in one Goddard many gods or no god.
And West Point -- who gives the same consideration to its own cadets unfortunately it does not.
In a statement to Fox News the military academy says quote.
The United States Military Academy respects the fundamental Tenet of our nation that church and state are separate.
As such Pryor is voluntary cadets may opt to pray they may decline this is a personal decision left to each individual cadet.
Jonathan a lot while 1999 West Point grad agrees the Jewish -- saying he never felt course or pressured to pray at academy events.
-- -- -- But it's just -- benediction.
Or an invocation.
It's typically nondenominational.
And it's not mentally.
So you do have to stand there for a minute.
But you'll have to bow your head you don't have to pray it's just part of the tradition.
-- so far no lawsuits have been filed Americans United for Separation of Church and State does say that since December it has received several complaints about over really overt religiosity.
Other US military academies let's get the -- panel in on this.
In rabbit and I think anybody there was a Ed Ed -- Jewish can bet that talk to us and so you rent so you shaking your head saying no -- -- wet.
Yeah a lot takes I just announced that -- trying to pull a dollar bill out of my pocket just to check my guys -- getting an edited out about it.
It does say god we trust him and there is you know that the founding fathers -- believe in -- -- of god.
And the fact you have prayer if someone doesn't have to -- is -- -- forcing -- to pray and I think this is a -- condition.
And quite frankly the folks have forgotten and five for country god plays a real role there at and -- have.
You know that a couple moments in the beginning I see nothing wrong fit my -- I think most people would agree.
But isn't there why does any sort of cohesiveness of Oklahoma -- -- Agassi call it about.
The beliefs.
The Americans that is American -- has it in 200 years ago about all -- Christian but they sort of lived in a Christian worldview kind of thing insanity and it but things are different today you've got to you've got.
A much more diversity in terms of of religions you know as I understand that West Point recruits.
Americans of all backgrounds backgrounds and -- faith traditions and I think.
Think he's a very big role in people's lives and at this prayer and and if they -- optional.
And if the prayers are interface in nature than that -- says.
It seems to stay consistent with our values that can promise.
I think the issue heaters is really the question of commercial that many of the -- -- saying I hope they felt course than men.
And also for some people that says don't -- trading on the ground of implying some sort of establishment so fractured right -- And I think to -- appointment.
You know and and yours that that.
Q documents you know this huge job increase in the number of folks who claim to be -- -- religious affiliation but within that group.
-- -- and that includes 30% of 130 -- it.
An overwhelming enough.
Believe in at least a higher power plants so I think you know I think the question is how -- how does this happen at West Point or other places in the defense forces.
Without the sense of -- portion.
And what does it look like if you have indications that offered by -- -- commit to with a Christian.
And and so one reflecting some of that very diversity that exists within the -- That's the only group that really almost doesn't fit in though it is an atheist of this is I think where his case -- -- -- some validity.
That he doesn't believe I got doesn't believe that in a moment of -- doesn't believe that there is a higher power so what do you do in these cases.
If your constitution says there is is what the constitution doesn't say it but if -- Interpreted that as meaning there's a separation of church and state.
Yeah I -- -- he hasn't had this conversation of them made in you know you hear atheists there is something about a moment of reflection.
And there is something about thinking and even if you think there's no god and after we die we just you know we go back into the ground.
There is something -- just just spending some time -- in thought and pondering an.
Yes I don't I don't really understand about my friends -- it is opposes a that they don't get it there's a -- -- They just don't really think about family we would everything about him so I don't I don't think that you know again there decent beautifully and if it's optional.
And it is not telling anyone doing -- -- is -- religion and they don't know what to say you have to -- -- pretty you can just think about.
Having a good person.
-- yeah last -- here is we're gonna.
Helium -- mainly because I am in a long -- girl scout I'm still very active and a tradition that exists in -- Girl Scouts often when your starting an event is actually to have a moment of reflection and sometimes.
A -- -- or thoughts are shared and you can use that time and space -- walked on anything you want to thank you songs it's optional yeah.
And and anyone can use that time and space it's -- their own networks.
Couple seconds and then opened certainly my atheist friends reflect profound spirituality they may just not name attached and you know.
It's possible force -- to provide an atheist to offer -- reflection.
Maybe something I want to thank you very much.
Rabbi asking -- and Citicorp and a seat of Robert right.
Thank you -- let me renovated and a great to be ninety.
