Let it be clear that there is no prohibition for a Florida public school student to pray in a classroom — many a student has done it quietly before a meal or a test.

Let it be clear, too, that there is no prohibition against students of like mind meeting to discuss their faith on school property, so long as there is no proselytizing to other students.

So what exactly is the Legislature trying to achieve with a bill, sponsored by Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, that would authorize “inspirational messages” that amount to prayer at “non compulsory” high school activities and graduations, as the Senate-passed bill initially sought to do?

Worse yet, the bill that will be taken up Wednesday by the House Judiciary Committee has morphed into an all-encompassing dictate that would apply to elementary schools, too, and include mandatory assemblies.

Must be an election year, as this over-reach is clearly unconstitutional.

Not only have the American Civil Liberties Union and the Anti-Defamation League raised valid concerns, but at least two conservative Christian groups have come to the same conclusion.

Mathew Staver of the Liberty Counsel says it goes too far as the government must remain neutral, neither encourage nor quash prayer. John Stemberger of the Florida Family Policy Council says the legislation faces major legal obstacles. “Had the bill merely made reference to protecting any student speech (religious or otherwise) it . . . would have been able to withstand constitutional scrutiny,” Mr. Stemberger noted.

Amen.