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I'm not sure if this belongs here, or in "Politics and other Controversies".
Apparently, a Hindu gave the opening prayer in the Senate today. Unfortunately, he was interrupted by protesters (broken link).
I had no idea Senate hearings started with prayer. It strikes me as extremely inappropriate. If they're determined to do this, it should be open to different faiths. I wonder what an Atheist prayer would sound like.
Yeah I didn't know the Senate opened up with a prayer. I guess though they do it because I don't know of a politician out there who has claimed to be an atheist Of course, they do that for votes but I believe that they are not separating church and state when doing so, but oh well, what are you going to do??
As far as an atheist prayer goes. When I get elected to the Senate and I give the first prayer it'll go a little something like this: "Thank you Mr. Bacteria for evolving into a multicelled organism and over billions and millions of years evolving into a human so that I can stand here and give this prayer."
"Thank you Mr. Bacteria for evolving into a multicelled organism and over billions and millions of years evolving into a human so that I can stand here and give this prayer."
Prayer should be private. I'd get in trouble if I stood over the cash register at work saying 'oh lord let this day be good, bless this cash register. And if it's not too much trouble I don't wanna be robbed or shot'
I think they should pray before they come to the senate.
Location: Ohio, but moving to El Paso, TX August/September
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I hate to say it, but the response of the protesters seems so typical. They are all about freedom of religion if it means their religion, to heck with anyone else's beliefs.
Yeah, just to give you guys an added level of comfort next time your flying. I used to work with a guy who was also an aircraft mechanic. I had actually been on the same shift as him before but never really on an airplane fixing anything with him. Well, I was paired up with him for the first time and we went out to a very simple job. Before we stepped foot on the plane he kind of bowed his head and said a quick prayer. I had to ask "What was that for?" And he said "I'm just praying that God helps me remember how to fix this airplane."
Chaplain's Office
Chaplain Barry C. Black
Barry C. Black
Throughout the years, the United States Senate has honored the historic separation of Church and State, but not the separation of God and State. The first Senate, meeting in New York City on April 25, 1789, elected the Right Reverend Samuel Provost, the Episcopal Bishop of New York, as its first Chaplain. During the past two hundred and seven years, all sessions of the Senate have been opened with prayer, strongly affirming the Senate's faith in God as Sovereign Lord of our Nation. The role of the Chaplain as spiritual advisor and counselor has expanded over the years from a part-time position to a full-time job as one of the Officers of the Senate. The Office of the Chaplain is nonpartisan, nonpolitical, and nonsectarian.
Duties of the Senate Chaplain
In addition to opening the Senate each day in prayer, Chaplain Black’s duties include counseling and spiritual care for the Senators, their families and their staffs, a combined constituency of six thousand people. Chaplain Black’s days are filled with meeting Senators about spiritual and moral issues, assisting Senators’ staffs with research on theological and biblical questions, teaching Senate Bible study groups, encouraging such groups as the weekly Senate Prayer Breakfast, and facilitating discussion and reflection small groups among Senators and staff.
In order to stay informed of the needs of the Senate community, Chaplain Black maintains a program with a volunteer liaison in each office to assist him. A member of his staff directs this program.
One of the most famous Chaplains of the US Senate: Peter Marshall. His wife wrote a book about her husband. A Man Called Peter
Quote:
Catherine Marshall later married divorcee Leonard LeSourd, editor of Guideposts Magazine. She wrote over 20 books, including the best-selling novel Christy based on her mother's experiences as a young Appalachian teacher, which became a television series. Peter Marshall's life was the subject of her book A Man Called Peter, which was later made into an Oscar-winning film, A Man Called Peter (1955) directed by Henry Koster and featuring Richard Todd as Peter Marshall.[1]. Todd studied tape recordings of several Peter Marshall sermons from 1947-48; some of these historic recordings were later released to the public by Caedmon Records. Catherine died on March 18, 1983 and was buried next to her first husband, Peter Marshall.
So yes, prayer has ALWAYS been a part of the US Senate. Liz
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Of course, they do that for votes but I believe that they are not separating church and state when doing so, but oh well, what are you going to do?? 
