Prayer to be sung at preschoolers to skirt rule

A state lawmaker who operates a preschool says students will begin singing a prayer in order to get around a rule banning religious activity at state-funded preschools.
   Others disagree with the interpretation that Growing God's Kingdom can skirt the rule through song. The rule defines prayer as a religious activity but allows religious music under certain circumstances. It goes into effect Oct. 26.
   Republican Rep. Justin Harris told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (http://bit.ly/SMI1vb ) that "it just dawned" on him that the students could sing a prayer.
   Democratic Rep. Johnnie Roebuck said Harris will lose funding if the prayer is sung and state Department of Human Services spokeswoman Amy Webb says prayer songs have not been approved.
   State records show Growing God's Kingdom has received $2.6 million in state funding since 2005.