James downplays ruling on prayer
Advice: Gov. Fob James told Alabamians to use their own judgment regarding the school prayer issue
By Jay Reeves
ASSOCIATED PRESSA federal court order limiting religion in public schools applies only in DeKalb Count, Gov. Fob James said Monday in urging Alabamians to follow their own judgment — not the judge.
"I would strongly suggest that across this state that if you're concerned about Judge (Ira) DeMent's order as to how it may apply to you, don't be concerned," James said on his statewide radio show.
"Go right ahead and use your good judgment and do what you think is right," said James, who repeatedly called the federal decision illegal and unconstitutional. DeMent's order "has no bearings on rulings anywhere else," he said.
Attorney General Bill Pryor, who is appealing DeMent's ruling, did not hear the radio show and declined comment on whether James' position reflected that of the state.
"Sometimes using good judgment means consulting your school board lawyer," said Pryor.
Pryor agreed with an attorney challenging religious practices in state schools, who said James is "technically" correct in saying the judge prohibited certain practices only in DeKalb County.
But James came perilously close to urging outright defiance of the judge, said Pamela Sumners, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer fighting the state over the issue.
"I think it's irresponsible," said Ms. Sumners. "(James is) a dangerous demagogue."
DeMent's October order came in a lawsuit filed by a DeKalb County assistant principal who challenged a variety of Christian practices in the county's public schools, which his teen-age son attends....
The Montgomery Advertiser, Tuesday December 2, 1997
James tells citizens: 'Use your good judgment' on prayer ruling
By Jay Reeves
The Associated PressMONTGOMERY — Gov. Fob James adopted a new line of defense against a judge's ruling on school prayer: Don't worry, be religious.
James told a statewide radio audience Monday that U.S. District Judge Ira DeMent's controversial school prayer decision applies only in DeKalb County and urged Alabamians to follow their judgment, not the ruling....
The Huntsville Times, Tuesday December 2, 1997
James: Nativity scene OK at school
By David White
News staff writerMONTGOMERY — Gov. Fob James on Monday urged people statewide not to worry about a federal judge's ruling on school prayer and even encouraged Baldwin County residents to hold their traditional Christmas play and Nativity scene at a public school.
"Go right ahead and have that Nativity scene," James told a woman from Bon Secour who phoned his weekly call-in radio show. She said school officials decided to cancel a Nativity scene that children have staged at the school for 65 years.
"I would strongly suggest, that across this state, if you're concerned about Judge (Ira) DeMent's order and how it may apply to you, don't be concerned," James said.
"The judge made a ruling that pertains to DeKalb County. This judge is in error. It should not affect anybody else in the state of Alabama," he said.
"There's no reason for people anywhere in the state to change what they're doing at all," James said.
But Pamela Sumners of Birmingham, a volunteer attorney for the American Civil Liberties Union of Alabama, said court rulings for decades have found that "purely religious school-sponsored plays" are illegal.
"When you know it's clear you can't do things like that, you ought not encourage people to keep doing things like that," she said. "I think he (James) is wrong to encourage disobedience of the law."
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The Birmingham News, Tuesday December 2, 1997
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