Prayer returns to the Indiana House
Prayer returns to the Indiana House Save Email Print
Indianapolis, IN
Posted: 6:25 AM Nov 20, 2008
 Last Updated: 11:55 AM Nov 20, 2008
 Reporter: The Associated Press
11 comments
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The Indiana House will once again invite clergy members and other guests to give opening prayers before legislative work begins.

A U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled last year that taxpayers who sued over the prayers did not have the legal standing. So as lawmakers gathered for an organization day at the Statehouse Tuesday, the House started its business with a prayer.

One new rule, though, puts the prayer before the period when Representatives register their presence.

House speaker Patrick Bauer says that makes the prayer optional and voluntary.

The ACLU of Indiana represented the taxpayers in the previous lawsuit and says it could bring another lawsuit if sectarian prayers continue.
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Posted by: Atheist on Nov 21, 2008 at 01:00 PM
BTH, I am so glad there is another person out there who gets it!
Posted by: BTH Location: SBN on Nov 21, 2008 at 08:27 AM
I think I should be able to have a pagan rite at the statehouse if christians can have theirs.Check your history books,folks.This country was founded on the LIBERAL IDEALS of The Enlightenment.Seperation of church and state was done to ensure freedom of your religions.I'm sure christian history is as fuzzy as christian science so I don't expect anyone to give a second thought to facts.Oh,and I'll stop pushing my nonbelief as soon as you christians drop your "believe as I do or I'll bust your head" attitude.Keep it to yourself.I've had it with people wearing their superstitions on their sleeves.
Posted by: James Location: Plymouth on Nov 20, 2008 at 05:34 PM
There are a lot of people that, ok believers that have been praying not only for this state, but this great country, that our leaders will, prior to decision or law making, will diligently search the guidance of The Holy Spirit, through Our Lord Jesus, in decision making. In reading this article, I see and answer to the prayers that I have personally prayed, and I am so glad that the Circuit Court of Appeals in Indiana over ruled or over turned the ACLU request or partition that Jesus not be mentioned in the Indiana House, and I hope that the lawyers that make up the ACLU will acknowledge not only Indiana but the rest of the United States, and allow prayer prior to secessions, not only in the House, but the Senate, as well as Congress, and the new Administration of our newly elected President. Our founding fore fathers, chose to create a foundation of Christian values, and I am sure that they had other choices at that time, but chose not to build that foundation!!!!!
Posted by: eh Location: mi on Nov 20, 2008 at 03:44 PM
i will certainly continue to pray to GOD each and every day so that the people who don't believe will someday have their eyes opened. blessed are they who believe and have not yet seen. this country was founded on christian values. it started falling apart when we decided that GOD didn't belong in our everyday lives.
Posted by: umm Location: do your research on Nov 20, 2008 at 02:23 PM
Folks, c'mon now, separation of church and state as it is enacted now has nothing to do with the intent of our founding fathers but everything to do with the will of a few Supreme Court justices who chose to break from God and Christianity and instead follow the Masonic principles. The separation was not to be executed as it is now.... keep on praying, people!
Posted by: Atheist on Nov 20, 2008 at 01:01 PM
There is a difference between your average Joe praying and your government praying. Government is supposed to represent everyone, not just christians. When they pray to your christian god, they do not represent all the people of other faiths, nor do they represent the atheists/buddhists/freethinkers. Let me ask you if you would feel comfortable with satanic prayer, if satanists were the majority. Would you feel like your beliefs were any less valid, simply because you are not in the majority, that you don't count? If god was so important, why did our founding fathers explicitly leave any mention of god out of our founding documents? Maybe because we are supposed to have a secular government that represents ALL the people, not just a few who share similar views.
Posted by: chad Location: elkhart on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:30 AM
i have a hard time understanding the logic behind them stopping in the first place. the early christians were often crucified and tortured because of their belief in Christ, yet that never stopped them from praying in his name. but indianas politicians stop praying in his name because some idiots in black robes tell them too? that is cowardice. it only works if we let it. when they tell you to stop, you should tell them where to go. and if they sue, you should tell them to come get paid. and if the godless new yorkers or whoever is behind it wants to fight about it then so be it. by agreeing to have the battle in the courtroom we are playing the game the only way that they can win it. our constitution is non negotiable. our bill of rights are not any judges to take. grow a back bone. ask yourselves, what would the apostle paul do if some old man on a bench told him to stop proclaiming Christ?
Posted by: Trent on Nov 20, 2008 at 10:10 AM
I think we need all the guidance we can get. Why would anyone complain about that?
Posted by: Myrt on Nov 20, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Why doesn't the ACLU go after people that really need their help instead of stirring up trouble?
Posted by: Willie Location: Niles on Nov 20, 2008 at 08:49 AM
I'll start believing the ACLU has our best interests at heart when they start defending the 2nd Amendment along with the first, as well as giving up their maniacal focus on separation of church and state.
Posted by: BTH Location: SBN on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:39 AM
Can I come down to the state house and sacrifice a chicken before a session?
Posted by: CATHY Location: NILES on Nov 20, 2008 at 07:35 AM
PRAISE THE LORD! ITS ABOUT TIME!

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