Graduation Prayers

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By Eric Weisfeld

Story Created: Jun 1, 2012 at 4:03 PM EDT

Story Updated: Jun 1, 2012 at 4:04 PM EDT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) _ An Irmo High School graduate has sued to stop prayers at future graduation ceremonies.
Eighteen-year-old Matthew Nielson sued to block prayer, saying the invocation offered at his ceremony amounted to an endorsement of religion. Nielson says he had suggested a moment of silence for people to reflect or pray privately.
His lawsuit says school-sponsored voting that authorized a student to deliver an invocation violated the separation of church and state. Lexington-Richland 5 school officials say 61 percent of the seniors voted in favor of the prayer.
Superintendent Stephen Hefner says the prayer at graduation was initiated by students and offered by a student so there was no violation.
Nielson brought the lawsuit with help from the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Wisconsin.