Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam has declared today a “Day of Prayer Over Students Across Tennessee,” which may literally be the least helpful way to help students across the state.

The proclamation, signed a few days ago at the request of the Christian group First Priority, declares that prayer is the solution to some of the biggest problems students face:

Whereas, Tennessee students face many challenges, such as peer pressure to abuse drugs and alcohol, negative influences in the media, school violence and gang activities, and low self-esteem… … Whereas, it is incumbent upon us as parents, corporate leaders and community leaders to do everything within our power to protect the students of Tennessee and help them develop qualities of character essential for their future family and leadership roles… Whereas, we join with fellow citizens, regardless of religion or denomination, to ask God for His blessing and protection upon the students of our state… Whereas, we offer prayer for our schools, teachers, and administrators for God’s wisdom and knowledge as they impart to the students of our state the great lessons of life and morality, and the education that each student deserves… Now, therefore, I, Bill Haslam, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim August 10, 2014 as Day of Prayer Over Students across Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.

First Priority is urging volunteers to visit several schools around the state tonight and “cover the campus in prayer for an hour.”

It may be legal, but it’s just plain silly. And, let’s be honest, it’s completely ineffective. (In case you’re wondering, this proclamation isn’t a church/state issue. Governors in other states have also signed “Day of Reason” proclamations at the request of Humanist groups.)

By the way, in 2012, Tennessee was ranked in the bottom ten states in terms of education. Maybe praying over the schools instead of offering more tangible solutions is one of the reasons for that.

(Thanks to Brian for the link)



