Wow! It's still OK to pray in Jesus' name

[Christopher Lund]

I'm interested in what will happen now, given that Pelphrey seems to mean that there are now circuit splits on two legislative prayer issues.  There's the split on the content of prayers * whether legislative prayer can be sectarian.  But there's also now a split on the selection of prayergivers * Pelphrey says that the government cannot pick and choose on the basis of religious affilation.  Remember that Simpson (the case involving the Wiccan who was excluded from being able to give a legislative prayer) held that government had discretion to pick and choose.  
 
It would be nice though if the Supreme Court were to consider both issues together, given their relationship to each other.  Any thoughts on what the Supreme Court would be likely to do?
 
Best,
Chris
 
 
______________________
Christopher C. Lund
Assistant Professor of Law
Mississippi College School of Law
151 E. Griffith St.
Jackson, MS  39201
(601) 925-7141 (office)
(601) 925-7113 (fax)
Papers: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=363402 

>>> alclegal at bellsouth.net 10/30/2008 5:42 PM >>>

Ok, as an atheist, I want my turn at the invocation then, Chaplain K.

My copy of the US Constitution says..."Congress shall make no law respecting
an establishment of religion, unless it involves Jesus and Christianity and
a perfunctory prayer at government meetings by Jews, Mormons, and Muslims
(and the occasional Atheist, just to show how tolerant the government is),
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridge the freedom of
speech... "
I do not understand why the Courts keep insisting on establishing RELIGION,
any religion, in direct contradiction of the US Constitution.  I'm with Mr.
Franklin on this one; if god needs such help from the government, he/she
can't be much of an omnipotent god...and further...his/her followers aren't
much help either.
Carol Moore, list reader. 

From: Gordon James Klingenschmitt <chaplaingate at yahoo.com>
Enjoy (or forgive) my personal celebration for the 11th Circuit Court ruling
in Pelphrey v. Cobb County, restoring sanity to the legislative prayer
process.
Can't we all just take turns?
I Pray In Jesus Name,
Chaplain Klingenschmitt

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