Missourians will vote tomorrow on an amendment to their state constitution that would guarantee them the right to pray in public.
The wording of the amendment would "ensure that any person shall have the right to pray individually or corporately in a private or public setting," and polling indicates that about 80% of Missouri voters support it. This is not surprising, given that 80% of Missourians are Christians.
But critics worry the amendment could create scenarios where people feel uncomfortable not praying, or praying according to their own religion.
We're asking our political bloggers this week what they think about Missouri's right to pray amendment -- in the meantime, we want to hear from you.
Let us know what you think of the amendment in the comments. Would you support it?
Here's how the amendment is explained on the Missouri ballot:
A "yes" vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to provide that neither the state nor political subdivisions shall establish any official religion. The amendment further provides that a citizen's right to express their religious beliefs regardless of their religion shall not be infringed and that the right to worship includes prayer in private or public settings, on government premises, on public property, and in all public schools. The amendment also requires public schools to display the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution.
A "no" vote will not change the current constitutional provisions protecting freedom of religion.
One potentially problematic part of the amendment states that "no student shall be compelled to perform or participate in academic assignments or educational presentations that violate his or her religious beliefs."
This leads to questions about defining exactly what would violate one's religious beliefs, and how it would do that. And questions often lead to lawsuits -- which taxpayers would have to defend.
Science teachers in Missouri have expressed concerns if the amendment passes about their ability to teach evolution, climate change, and the use of geology in determining the age of the earth.
According to the Huffington Post, though, supporters say the amendment will counter the current "hostility toward Christians."
Yet others question how Christians can feel hostility in a state where they make up 80 percent of the population.
Here's what our political bloggers have to say about right to pray amendments:
Hey Missouri, Americans Already Have the Right to Pray (Or Not)
Right to Pray Amendment Protects as Much as Right Not to Pray
Image via Irina Petruscu/Flickr
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Comments 19
I live in Missouri and I'm going to get my family out of here and move to another state. I hate the bible-thumping belt. They're hypocrites who think they have some divine right to rule over me and my family and I refuse to live in a state where they have infiltrated the government and are making laws that cater to them. It supposedly protects ALL religions.. but when 80% of the population in the state is Christian, you know who it's really for...
I know its hard to beleive for most of you, but there is somewhat of a prejudice against christians in this country. Whether you want to admit it or not. Just ask yourself: When I hear the word christian, what is my first thought? Is it that they are all hatefull of anyone that doesnt agree with them? Is it that they want to force everyone else to live by their rules? For alot of you, it was probably one of those two examples. Im christian, and would never persecute anyone for not agreeing with me. I would never try to force anyone to live the way I do. I support gay marriage and have never tried to manipulate the government into stopping abortion. I beleive everyone has the right to do what makes them happy, whether I agree with it or not. I beleive in seperation of church and state, and even will honestly say that the government is manipulated way to much by religious agendas. I boycott chic-fil-a because of the millions they donate to anti-gay groups working to limit gay rights. I am tired of being steriotyped.
You wouldnt assume all muslims are terrorists or cab drivers, so why would you lump all christians into the same category? I cant even say that I believe abortion is wrong without being swarmed with people harrassing me and telling me to keep my opinion to myself like freedom of speech doesnt apply to me because Im a christian. People have this steriotypical idea of what christians are like and maybe they describe some, but obviously not all. To give you an example of the intolerance I have experienced: I had a neighbor that hated christians(including me), and decided that I was what was wrong with this country so she proceeded to rip my "what would jesus do?" sticker off the back of my car and call me a "bigot." I have never done anything to hinder anyone elses rights, so do you think I deserved that kind of treatment all because of what I beleive? This is why I have to disagree with people when they say "They're also the ones constantly claiming they are being persecuted, when they make up nearly 80% of the population. I'm sorry, I didn't realize that the VAST MAJORITY could be so easily persecuted!" We can be so easily persecuted, because people have this small minded view of what all christians are like and think that christians are the only ones guilty of prejudice, when that statement goes to show it can be just as easily the other way around.
I dated a guy who was Native American and whose prayers involved a lot of smoke. Sage, tobacco, all kinds of stuff got lit and wafted about. Does this law's allowance for prayer supersede rules about fires in public places?