Appeals Court Bans Prayer 'in Jesus' name'

[Jean Dudley]

On Jul 24, 2008, at Thu, Jul 24,  7:37 PM, Gordon James  
Klingenschmitt wrote:

> Ms. Jean Dudley exactly makes my point!  (Albeit in more colorful  
> language :).
>
> Governments should not pray as governments, nor establish non- 
> sectarian religion as "the government's favored religion" or "the  
> government's favored non-sectarian god."
>
> ON THE CONTRARY, our form of government was established "to secure  
> the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain  
> and establish this Constitution for the United States of  
> America..."  which means PROTECTING each citizen's right to speak  
> their mind, and pray according to personal conscience, (even in  
> government forums, even as public officials), taking turns with  
> equal opportunity.

And this is where my esteemed colleague* Mr. Klingenschmitt and I  
part company;  I personally believe that prayer has no place in  
government forums.  Not even to take turns with equal opportunity.   
If an ordained clergy cannot offer a non-sectarian prayer, they  
exclude those members of the audience (there on government  
business).  That is counter to the spirit of establishment clause.   
Further, I see no reason why prayer should be included in any  
government forum as part of the proceedings.  I'm of the mind that  
what gods there may be watching would rather we use our own best  
judgement rather than appealing to celestial parental figures for  
guidance or blessings.

I find it disingenuous to claim that praying in Jesus' name is  
banned;  It's happening all over America, and no one has gone to  
prison for it that I'm aware of.   Finally, I'd like to suggest to   
Mr. Klingenschmidt to read Matthew 6.  Note especially verse 6, and  
that the example prayer does not contain the phrase "in Jesus'  
name."  He might find this URL helpful : http://voiceofjesus.org/ 
whenyoupray1.html

Jean Dudley
*Ordained minister, and served in the US military for 9 years.  But  
not as a chaplain.  My ministry was not funded by the US government  
in any way.