Debate over prayers at public meetings continues (government, claim, first amendment)

[Greatday]

Both Houses of Congress open with a prayer daily.

[Greatday]

Originally Posted by DewDropInn

I'm shocked that she was shocked. She lives in AZ and she was surprised?

Prayers are offered in public meetings all over the country - not just Az

[TriMT7]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Both Houses of Congress open with a prayer daily.

And shamefully so.

Religious people just can't seem to function without injecting prayer into everything, no matter what the occasion.

Because God/Allah/Shiva is just so concerned with your city hall meeting. Maybe that's why he/they ignore the prayers and calls for help of people being murdered, starving or dying of disease: Peggy in Arizona has asked the lord to bless the meeting, and dammit, he's gonna!

[cuebald]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

Ok and I've also said that when one person objects then it should stop.

I object. It must stop.

[cuebald]

Originally Posted by Greatday

Why are you offended at prayers being said at these meetings? After all, they have been done for 100's of years.

Same old "slippery slope" argument.

If you allow it, the next thing you know we have a theocracy in America to rival Iran. We don't need to go that route.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by cuebald

I object. It must stop.

Then go attend all these city council meetings, state legislature meetings, Senate meetings and House meetings and tell them that.

The Supreme Court allows it and individual cities are changing it over to a moment of silence in deference to complaints. So go complain across America because you object.

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by cuebald

Same old "slippery slope" argument.

If you allow it, the next thing you know we have a theocracy in America to rival Iran. We don't need to go that route.

It's been allowed for quite some time in the US. Why are you so afraid now that religion will take over the US ? We are not the ME. Our constitution does not allow the state to establish a religion for the nation.
Many places have changed their prayers to be more secular in nature and not refer to any specific religion's God.

[padcrasher]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

It would be the people doing it. If the community is Christian and no one objects then what is the harm ?
It is among themselves.

They might not be objecting because they risk being harassed by bullies in the town for speaking up.

Exactly what these red necks do when people object.

[padcrasher]

Originally Posted by HappyTexan

It's been allowed for quite some time in the US. Why are you so afraid now that religion will take over the US ? We are not the ME. Our constitution does not allow the state to establish a religion for the nation.
Many places have changed their prayers to be more secular in nature and not refer to any specific religion's God.

You don't know what you are talking about. The prayers in question in Arizona were pervasively Christian themed. You cannot do that.

You want to have a "moment of meditation" to "reflect"....LOL Be my guest.


Appeals Court Rules That North Carolina County Cannot Open Public Meetings With Sectarian Prayers | American Civil Liberties Union

[HappyTexan]

Originally Posted by padcrasher

You don't know what you are talking about. The prayers in question in Arizona were pervasively Christian themed. You cannot do that.

You want to have a "moment of meditation" to "reflect"....LOL Be my guest.


Appeals Court Rules That North Carolina County Cannot Open Public Meetings With Sectarian Prayers | American Civil Liberties Union

I said they were getting more secular. Why point out specific issues where they refused to entertain different religions ? I agree with the court rulings in those cases. One can't give preference.