Lunch time at the U.S. Naval Academy was more than a meal for one midshipman who had to choose between praying with the brigade or standing out in the crowd.
“It?s very frustrating to be forced to play along with the mandatory prayer,” said the recently graduated midshipman who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
“I choose not to practice religion, and I don?t feel I should be subjected to a prayer.”
That midshipman, along with eight others, said academy officials ignored their pleas to abolish the lunch time prayer that has been in practice since 1845 because they said it violated their rights.
“I?m all for tradition, but not when its unconstitutional,” the midshipman said.
The midshipmen turned their cause over to the American Civil Liberties Union, which is calling on the academy to remove the prayer from lunch time.
“[The academy] implies it is a necessary part of midshipman training … but people can develop character and ethics that is not religiously based,” said Mike Pheneger, of the national ACLU board and a retired Army colonel.
However, the academy said participation in prayer is voluntary.
“The academy does not intend to change its practice of offering midshipmen an opportunity for prayer or devotional thought during noon meal announcements,” said Deborah Goode, the academy?s spokeswoman.
All 4,000 midshipmen gather for lunch formation. Following announcements, a chaplain then says a prayer. The unnamed midshipman said the chaplains, who include Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, rotate saying the prayer.
Academy officials said the prayer is nonsectarian.
While attendance is mandatory, the midshipmen do not have to bow their heads or acknowledge the prayer, officials said.
“But not participating makes you stand out, and peer pressure made me feel like I?m different or do not respect others as much,” the midshipman said.
Days after the ACLU sent its letter to the academy, the Navy?s top admiral told the graduating class to question authority if they feel their leaders are in the wrong.
Religion has been a controversial issue at the Naval Academy for years.
The academy?s prayer was unsuccessfully challenged by the Anti-Deformation League in 2005.
Earlier this year, officials were questioning the practice of lowering the American flag during church services at the academy?s chapel.
ACLU officials said if the academy doesn?t change its policy, a lawsuit could follow.
“We haven?t had a response from the Naval Academy, and statements in the media now make it clear they do not intend to make changes,” said Debbie Jeon, legal director for Maryland ACLU.
