Odessa teen joins in fight for religious liberty bill
- Jun 9, 2008 - 1
ODESSA, Mo.—When Shelby Moore read the letter to the editor in her local newspaper, she knew exactly what God wanted her to do.
An Odessa woman had written a letter discussing her disapproval of House Joint Resolution (HJR) 55, a prayer bill that would clarify Missourians’ rights to pray and express freedom of religion in public places. The woman questioned if there were any incidents in the past where a Missouri citizen’s religious right was taken away, especially within the public school systems.
After reading the letter, Moore knew she needed to tell her story.
“It all started when I was in the sixth grade,” Moore, now a freshman at Odessa High School, said. “My friends and I were in the classroom and we had our Bibles out and we were reading them during free time. Our teacher told us to put the Bibles away and we were never to bring them back in the classroom again. The next day we started to read them again and she told us to put them away again and we did what she instructed us to do. After school we went home and told our parents and they talked to the principal, and she said she would talk to the teacher and it would be taken care of but we never heard what happened.”
Sensing that God was asking her to take a stand, Moore sent a letter to the local newspaper. The letter got the attention of State Rep. Mike McGhee, R-Odessa. McGhee is the sponsor of HJR 55, which concerns the practice of religious freedom in public places.
It was first introduced by Carl Bearden, a Missouri Baptist who is now a retired representative from St. Charles County. It states, “…this proposed constitutional amendment guarantees a citizen’s First Amendment right to pray and worship in all public areas including schools as long as the activities are voluntary and subject to the same rules and regulations that apply to all other types of speech.” Supporters say it also strengthens the rights and restrictions of the free exercise clause and establishment clause by requiring public schools to display the text of the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and ensures Missouri courts cannot forbid the practice of religion of Missouri citizens.
After reading the letter, McGhee and Moore, who both are members of First Baptist Church of Odessa, met and the representative invited Moore to testify before a Senate sub-committee on behalf of the legislation.
“At first [testifying] was really scary because I thought I would be in front of everyone, but then we talked to Senator (Bill) Stouffer (R-Napton) and toured the building,” Moore said. “I felt more courageous and that Jesus would give me words to speak. At the hearing the head senator told me my story was well-written and well-spoken. I don’t think they realized that this happens to kids, because there were no other kids to speak for themselves, only parents.”
Four other Missouri citizens testified along with Moore. They were Sandra Lockhart, Odessa; Christina Smith, Jefferson City; Joe Ortworth, Missouri Family Policy Council; and Kerry Messer, Missouri Family Network. The Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) and Christian Life Commission (CLC) also testified for the bill by means of Messer.
The prayer bill passed the House of Representatives on April 16 but did not make it through the Senate. Time expired May 16 as the measure fell victim to the strains of the process of politics, according to Kerry Messer, lobbyist for the Christian Life Commission of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
With more citizens willing to take a stand for Christ as Moore did, religious rights can be protected.
“I felt that people in our community and state had heard stuff but didn’t believe it,” Moore explained. “I felt like God was telling me to step up and have courage—so that is what I did.”
This article is reprinted from the June 3, 2008, issue of The Pathway, the newspaper of the Missouri Baptist Convention.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Faith, Bible, Citizenship, Legislation, Religious Liberty
1 comments (post your own) feed
1 On Aug 21st, 2008, at 3:43pm, Lila wrote:
Miss Moore’s letter actually proved a point made by the original letter writer; i.e., that the matter was rectified by a call to the school, and no constitutional amendment was needed.