Praying for school

There are times to argue about what place religion has in public school. And perhaps there are times when grief silences debate.

Teens went back to class in Bailey today -- eight days after Duane Morrison killed student Emily Keyes and kidnapped and molested several other girls. Many students stood around the school's flagpole and prayed before class. And the students who came were given colorful "prayer scarves," knitted by folks in the community.

To be honest, I'm not that familiar with the background of prayer scarves. But, according to a quick Google check, they seem to be used in several religions: Most of the references I came across were for Buddhist scarves, but some Christian churches apparently make them as well, saying prayers as they go. The maker then gives the scarves to others, hoping the recipients will feel both God's love and the support of the community.