Prayer in school flack continues

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The fight over the right to pray continues in federal court. Florida Panhandle teachers are asking a judge to change a court order that prohibits them from praying at school events, even when kids aren't around.

Most people thought the fight was over when Pace Principal Frank Lay and Athletic Director Robert Freeman walked out of the Federal Courthouse not guilty. They were accused of being in criminal contempt of a court order that prohibited them from praying at school events.

Thursday, people gathered outside the courthouse once again. Teachers in the Christian Educators Association are trying to get the judge to change what's called the consent decree. The American Civil Liberties Union and the School District, which came up with the agreement, are fighting it.

"We're here to get our constitutional rights to get back. Until they get permission to intervene, nothing will happen," Michelle Winkler said.

Winkler is an administrative assistant with the school district. After asking her husband to say a prayer at an awards banquet, she faced civil contempt charges. She was cleared, but she says now all employees are afraid to do anything.

"They don't allow us to openly pray with colleagues, not around students, on breaks or lunch times. If we were at a ballgame and postured ourselves to make it look like we might be praying, somebody could bring charges saying we were promoting religion," she added.

It's not just teachers trying to change the decree. Supporters say it's about everyone's freedom of speech.

"The teachers are afraid to even look down, afraid they'll be criminalized, its ridiculous," Jean Holland said.

"If this remains, the ACLU will use it and start slamming it across our country," Tami Waters added.

It's now up to a judge to decide whether the order will stay the same or if the group will have any input on changes in the decree.