https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 08:10:11 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615956 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:55:42 +0000 Grace 1615956@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Happygal: Yes! I couldn't place why I didn't like having prayer in a government event, but you nailed it. I go to church every Sunday, and pray before every meal and bed. But it's a personal thing and to be forced into it feels wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615914 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:43:26 +0000 mrsjazz 1615914@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Justice Kagan said it best:</p> <p>For centuries now, people have come to this country from every corner of the world to share in the blessing of religious freedom. Our Constitution promises that they may worship in their own way, without fear of penalty or danger, and that in itself is a momentous offering. Yet our Constitution makes a commitment still more remarkable— that however those individuals worship, they will count as full and equal American citizens. A Christian, a Jew, a Muslim (and so forth)—each stands in the same relationship with her country, with her state and local communities, and with every level and body of government. So that when each person performs the duties or seeks the benefits of citizenship, she does so not as an adherent to one or another religion, but simply as an American. I respectfully dissent from the Court’s opinion because I think the Town of Greece’s prayer practices violate that norm of religious equality—the breathtakingly generous constitutional idea that our public institutions belong no less to the Buddhist or Hindu than to the Methodist or Episcopalian.<br /> ...<br /> The practice at issue here differs from the one sustained in Marsh because Greece’s town meetings involve participation by ordinary citizens, and the invocations given—directly to those citizens—were predominantly sectarian in content. Still more, Greece’s Board did nothing to recognize religious diversity: In arranging for clergy members to open each meeting, the Town never sought (except briefly when this suit was filed) to involve, accommodate, or in any wayreach out to adherents of non-Christian religions. So month in and month out for over a decade, prayers steeped in only one faith, addressed toward members of the public, commenced meetings to discuss local affairs and distribute government benefits. In my view, that practice does not square with the First Amendment’s promise that everycitizen, irrespective of her religion, owns an equal share in her government. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615887 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:34:56 +0000 MrsSCB 1615887@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not religious and do not feel comfortable with this. I also agree with @mrbee: that if the people deciding weren't part of the majority religion, the decision would have been different. </p> <p>It drives me crazy how hypocritical people can get with the constitution. When it's convenient to them they act as if it was a document handed down from a higher power instead of written by ordinary men and must NEVER change or evolve. Then cases like this come up and they're just like, "eh, constitution, shmonstitution." Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615842 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:23:16 +0000 yoursilverlining 1615842@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don’t think it’s appropriate for there to be prayer of any sort before, during or following government events….however, I also think that public “prayer” has sort of just become an accepted, almost secular-like event before meetings and it doesn’t bother or offend me either. I don’t think it’s sincere, it’s more form than anything else; like many other things (religious and secular). But, on principal, I do believe church and state should be separate.</p> <p>As an aside, I wish more people paid attention to or cared about WHY “under God” was added when it was, and why it wasn’t added on our money or the pledge of allegiance before the 1950’s. </p> <p>Also, as others have asked, do you think the majority of nationwide “yes” votes (not necessarily in this poll, just the CNN ones, etc.) be in favor of officially sanctioned Muslim prayers before events? How about satanic prayers? (Prayer probably being the wrong word in both cases, but hopefully my intent is clear). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615839 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:22:07 +0000 Torchwood 1615839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with those who say it's alienating to me as an atheist. I think it's incredibly inappropriate, and unconstitutional. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615826 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:18:54 +0000 pui 1615826@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: I pretty much never believe "X% of XX think Y" lol. Usually the sample size they take is small, or from a certain location or something so it's almost always skewed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615810 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:15:39 +0000 pui 1615810@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think there is a such thing as secular prayer, and it doesn't look like these prayers are at all secular/non-denominational so I can't say I like it.</p> <p>As a Christian, I wouldn't tolerate being forced in to some position where I am expected to pray for another deity or a belief that is incompatible with the Bible. So I do not think it's right to expect that of others unless I am in a Christian church. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615786 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:10:14 +0000 Mae 1615786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, I find it interesting right now that our little HB poll is only 37% in favor of prayer in government vs. the 77% CNN stated. Sort of makes you wonder about polls cited by news media :) </p> <p>Sometimes I wish every person registered to vote got a little key fob thingy that the government could put out quick polls on. Even if they weren't official and they would of course be somewhat unreliable still... it would have to be a better way to take the temperature of the populous than relying on the sampling bias that happens whenever you pick ANY sample of people to poll. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615770 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:06:54 +0000 sorrycharlie 1615770@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: exactly. I wasn't trying to get onto a gay marriage debate, just saying in reply to the argument that there shouldn't be a separation between church and government that in some cases there definitely should be! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615765 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:05:42 +0000 Mae 1615765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: That's sort of a whole different thread, but I totally agree with you and I wish there was some sort of rule that religion could not be used in political debate. Not that we wouldn't KNOW what was going on when some conservative baptist senator got up and reeled against gay marriage... but I'd like to see how arguments would develop if they weren't allowed to say "well the bible says..." and actually had to find a LEGAL reason to support their standpoint. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615759 Tue, 06 May 2014 10:03:58 +0000 LovelyPlum 1615759@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sorrycharlie: "stand and plan dinner"- I like that :)<br /> And I agree-all religions, including no religion-are OK in public life! Each person's beliefs should be respected. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615733 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:57:06 +0000 sorrycharlie 1615733@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LovelyPlum: I lean more toward, "all religions are okay" versus, "only Christianity is ok" (not that you said that, but I definitely get that idea from some political standpoints). For example, people that oppose gay marriage due to their own religion. Well that's fine, don't marry a gay person...but it should not be used as an argument to block gay marriages for people whose religion *doesn't* oppose that. </p> <p>I think a moment of silence is actually a good idea! then whoever, wherever can do their own thing whether they stand and pray or stand and plan dinner. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615727 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:54:45 +0000 LovelyPlum 1615727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Knowing little about the case, my gut reaction is similar to @swurlygurl: I'm OK with a moment for however each individual wants to observe it.</p> <p>I'm uncomfortable with the idea of a hard and fast line between government and religion in all cases, especially when different beliefs are respected. Regardless of how things have changed, it is hard to argue from a historical perspective that the framers of the Constitution were wholly opposed to religion playing some role in public life, even in in government. I don't know how you navigate spirit vs letter of the law, but that's why I'm not a judge :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615642 Tue, 06 May 2014 09:30:09 +0000 TemperanceBrennan 1615642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Regardless of how generic or non-denominational a prayer is, it should not be involved in a government event. </p> <p>I think there should be a strict line between government and religion. It is way too blurred the way it is now. ("In God we trust" on money, "under God" in the pledge of allegiance, etc) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615514 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:52:33 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1615514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Voted no. Like you, I believe in the separation of church and state even though I'm also a Christian. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615513 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:52:32 +0000 lawbee11 1615513@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I skimmed the opinion (it's 80 pages long so I don't have time now to read the entire thing). The petitioners in this case were actually just asking that the prayers refer to a generic God instead of God/Jesus Christ, so it's not like they were even asking for prayer to be banned altogether. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615510 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:52:17 +0000 Happygal 1615510@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a Christian who prefers a moment of silence. Big believer in separation of church and state! Praying is also such a personal thing--I only like doing it in church or the quiet of a home with people I know. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615495 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:48:21 +0000 lawbee11 1615495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Meltini: I get that and I feel the same way--I would not be personally offended if I were at a government event and a prayer was said; I would just ignore it. But I realize it has the potential to offend others and I think that's what matters when deciding the law of the land. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615485 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:43:03 +0000 looch 1615485@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would only be okay with it if it were a non-denominational prayer, but then, is that even considered a prayer? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615440 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:32:01 +0000 Meltini 1615440@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted they should be allowed to pray even though I am an atheist. To me, they are just words and if it makes someone else feel good then they can say/do whatever they want. It would be nice if they would sample from more religions than Christianity though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615436 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:30:59 +0000 swurlygurl 1615436@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I voted yes, but my feelings are a bit more complicated than that.</p> <p>I think maybe along the lines of what @lawbee11: said - something to allow everyone of all different faiths/religions to have their moment. As a Christian I wouldn't mind praying, but I do recognize that there are other religions with other practices. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615432 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:29:55 +0000 lawbee11 1615432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrbee: Yep. I'd be willing to bet most (if not all) of those that voted "Yes" in this poll are Christian. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615425 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:27:43 +0000 sorrycharlie 1615425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: @mrbee: I agree with you both!</p> <p>I voted no. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615401 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:22:43 +0000 mrbee 1615401@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Will be interesting to see what happens when another religion eventually becomes the majority. Pretty sure they'd feel differently if they were forced to listen to a prayer they didn't believe in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615388 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:20:43 +0000 MrsKoala 1615388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The idea of prayer involved in any government function makes me incredibly uncomfortable. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615376 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:18:28 +0000 ShootingStar 1615376@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think religion or type of religious moment is appropriate for a government event. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615375 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:18:09 +0000 lawbee11 1615375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: Kennedy's "If you don't like it then leave" rationale really rubs me the wrong way. I don't see how that's in line with the Establishment Clause. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615354 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:07:07 +0000 MsLipGloss 1615354@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mae: In keeping with your intent, my vote would be No/Separate. :)</p> <p>@PurplePumps: The words "under god" were added on Flag Day in 1954. The Supremes have ruled on several occasions that you can neither be compelled to recite it nor punished for doing so. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615343 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:04:18 +0000 Mae 1615343@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@lawbee11: A moment of silence seems like a good compromise to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/prayer-and-government#post-1615340 Tue, 06 May 2014 08:03:37 +0000 lawbee11 1615340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>"Kagan, writing for the dissenting minority, sharply disagreed.</p> <p>She suggested that the five justices who formed the majority - all of whom are Catholic - don't understand what it's like to belong to a minority faith in America."</p> <p>Gotta agree with Kagan on this one. I was raised Catholic but am now an atheist. I am all for a moment of silence, but I think prayer at government events is overstepping. </p>