The Politics of Prayer
One thing I've never understood is the controversy religion inspires. After all, when you look at the biggies -- Christianity, Judaism, Islam -- don't all three share the same core values of a belief in a deity that is bigger than what we see in front of us every day? Of goodness and good works that come from caring for our fellow man? And isn't it people, not the religion itself, that always seems to get in the way?
Here in Missouri, an amendment to protect the rights of Christians to pray in public passed overwhelmingly. Apparently, some felt they were under attack because they can no longer open public meetings with a Christian prayer. It's an interesting argument given that 80% of Missourians are Christians.
Our school (a private school) had a similar concern. And a traditional grace that was said before lunch was changed to a non sectarian one. And here's the key. They did it without involving all of the parents. At first, that rubbed me the wrong way but then I thought about the controversy a move like that might have inspired. The basic purpose remains the same. The children still pause for reflection and offer gratitude. There is still a moment of silence when an individual can say a traditional prayer to himself. But no one is forced to pray to a God that isn't their own.
Maybe that's the way to change the world. Start at the kids' level. Let's teach them that religion is a private matter. Separation of church and state is one of our country's founding principles. No one can ever take our right to pray away. Nor should they.
Of course, any time a vote like this comes up in a tightly contested election year like the 2012 Election promises to be, I immediately think "wedge issue!" This could galvanize the base and likely will. And upon closer "reflection," isn't that what it is ultimately about? Religious freedom is already guaranteed in the Bill of Rights and the U.S. Constitution. Which begs the question of what is really going on here? As I've said before, maybe we all need to pray that we can get the religion out of politics!
This post is part of a weekly conversation with our Moms Matter 2012 political bloggers. To see the original question and what the other writers have to say, see Do States Need Right to Pray Amendments?
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Cass
cecilmansmom
just gotta argue about something so you are purposely misrepresenting the facts.
Lilianne
Angela Carter Bates
AliNoelle
AliNoelle
KWnavywife
The Separation of Church and State is not to keep the "religion" out of the gov't but to keep the gov't out of religion. In other words, the Gov't that require you to attend a certain type of church. With that said, I'd rather have leaders that have a faith, something that guides their morals and integrity that a bunch of people who think they are the gods (kind of like we have now....). What it boils down to is unless it is a practice that physically or mental hurts a person - child brides, human sacrifices, etc-then leave people alone. If a place had a majority of Christians and they want to open or close a meeting in prayer, LET THEM!! It is their RIGHT!
Autumnleaves87
It's the same stupid argument " The bible says marriage is between one man and one women". That should not have anything to do with our laws as a country because church and state are SEPERATE.
You can pray wherever you want to. Just don't make my child join in because he's in the same school.
SaphiraJFire
good works is a reference to faith and grace and that it alone is not enough you need to act morally to.
its how you treat others all your actions and what you do all of the time. Just because you believe jesus died for you does not give you the right to do what ever you want. Your still supposed to act right and do the right thing.
I am not chrstian at all and yet I did go to seminary to understand your belifs. Maybe some chrstians need to be more educated.
I am against prayer in schools and in any type of government situation. We need the separation for a reason.
If government took control of the church they would unify all religion and tell us we had to pray to this god and only believe what they said.
We need the freedom to belive and choos what religion if any to follow.
What kind of belief system would we have if we were forced into it.
SaphiraJFire
We all have the right to believe as we want and that a good thing. TO try and force any belief on someone will get nothing from them but negative emotions.
People need to come to your christian god on their own accord.