In April of 2004, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of a case involving Virginia Military Institute (VMI). The case centered on the issue of whether or not, at a public supported college such as VMI, a prayer traditionally offered before the evening meal should be prohibited as a violation of the constitutional mandate requiring the separation of church and state. In an unusual step, two of the Justices of the Court criticized the other Justices for avoiding the responsibility of rendering a clear decision with attendant guidelines on the matter. Failing to take the case left in place a lower court’s decision against having the prayer. The two Justices pointed out that, although there were previous decisions against such prayer in the public schools where attendance was enforced, colleges were voluntary institutions. Should the court have taken the case? How do you feel the court should rule on the mandatory recital of the pledge of allegiance, with the phrase “Under God” therein, in public schools or colleges? (Bunting v. Mellen, USSC 03-863, 181 F. Supp. 2d 619)