COLUMBIA - The Citadel stopped its cadets from saying grace before meals as a group more than two years ago, but proposed state legislation aims to encourage the practice.

Rep. Wallace Scarborough, a Charleston Republican, and at least 30 other House members, including many graduates from the military college, want to authorize prayer at campus functions.

It still has a long way to go before it would become law, and may face constitutional questions.

"You don't go to The Citadel and not expect to do push-ups," Scarborough said. "Don't go to The Citadel if you don't want to pray."

Scarborough, who is the bill's primary sponsor, said he wants to encourage the college to include prayer in the dining hall, assemblies, graduations and other special occasions. The proposed legislation would not require it, though.

"Since it's a state institution, I believe the state should be able to say they can (pray)," Scarborough, a 1981 graduate, said.

In August 2003, The Citadel replaced a cadet-led prayer before meals with a moment of silence. The change came after a federal appeals court would not reconsider a ruling that called the practice unconstitutional at the Virginia Military Institute, The Citadel's sister school.

Col. Billy Jenkinson, chairman of The Citadel Board of Visitors, would not comment on the impact the proposed legislation could have on the college.

He did, though, say removing prayer from the college routine was not a popular decision. There is still group prayer at graduations and campus functions that doesn't require cadet attendance.

"We are simply following the law," Jenkinson said. "We have the highest respect for this country and the law, and even though we very much disagree with the decision on prayer, we have to abide by it."

Andy Weiner, president of the Charleston chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, said prayer should not be a part of the routine at any state-funded college. About 20 percent of The Citadel's funding in 2005 came from the state.

The goal is not to eliminate prayer, Weiner said. It is acceptable to pray on campus grounds at voluntary functions, but not in a place like The Citadel's cafeteria where all cadets are required to attend.

"They are trying to pursue these issues for political purposes," Weiner said of the lawmakers. "It is a religious state and people react to that."

Rep. John Graham Altman, R-Charleston, said The Citadel's policy on prayer is another example of political correctness "running amok."

"Whoever made that decision should be required to do push-ups," he said of removing prayer. "That's insane."

House Speaker Bobby Harrell is also on board with the legislation.

"It's important to stop this attack on religious freedoms going on in this country," he said. "I don't believe the framers of our Constitution believed we should keep God out of everything."

Jon Rawl, a 1993 graduate of The Citadel, said he does not want The Citadel to lose sight of its intent to educate the "Whole Person," a governing concept of the college since its founding in 1842.

"They need to preserve the tradition and any effort to maintain God and faith at The Citadel," he said. "That doesn't mean we bang on peoples' heads and make them read Bible verses. It's not a private Christian school, but faith is part of the 'Whole Person' concept."

Rawl is chairman of The Citadel Men Foundation, a think tank that debates issues important to the college and fights to preserve its traditions.

 

Prayer bill

What it means

Rep. Wallace Scarborough, a Charleston Republican, is proposing legislation regarding prayer at The Citadel. It would not mandate the practice, but encourages the military college to have prayer before meals and at special occasions.

What the bill says

The Citadel is authorized to have prayer at on-campus and off-campus events sponsored by the university.

What's next?

The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee for debate.

 

Contact Yvonne M. Wenger at 843-745-5891 or ywenger@postandcourier.com