Monday, May 5, 2014

SCOTUS Sides with Prayer

The Supreme Court of the United States of America has approved public prayer before city council and other political meetings.  This is great news and a victory for the first amendment!

The majority of justices whom are Catholic voted to keep prayer in place after two women represented by the American United for Separation of Church and State organization sued claiming that they felt uncomfortable when prayers were said.  My response to that is "too bad!"

Justice Anthony Kennedy said, "By inviting ministers to serve as chaplains for the month, towns are acknowledging the central place that religion and religious institutions hold in the lives of those present, if some citizens hear prayers that make them feel excluded and disrespected, they should ignore them.  Adults often encounter speech they find disagreeable."  Well said your honor!

Our nation was founded by Christians who believed in the Judeo-Christian belief system.  They prayed before meetings and constantly included God and prayer in the framework of American laws and customs.  Atheists and secularists often claim that the Constitution promotes the idea of "separation of Church and State." However, this is not true at all.  The term "separation of Church and State" is not mention in the Constitution.  It comes from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association in 1802.  He wrote:

 "Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions, I contemplate with sovereign reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their legislature should 'make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,' thus building a wall of separation between Church and State." -http://www.loc.gov/loc/lcib/9806/danpre.html

The first amendment of the United States of Americas mentions no such separation.  It states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." -http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html

This means that Congress cannot declare any particular religion the official religion of the United States of America, nor can it prevent the free exercise of any religion in America.  This was written carefully due to the fact that America was a nation of diversity.  Its early settlers came to the land to flee religious persecution in Europe. America was to be a safe haven for one to practice his/her religion.  In light of this, it would be foolish for the American Fathers to adopt one religion for the nation when the nation was settled by people of various faiths seeking religious freedom.

It is interesting to note that Moses is depicted on the facade of the Supreme Court building.

Atheists as usual are dishonest in their attempt to distort the law of the land and force religion out of the public square.  Prayer and religion are here to stay.  Atheists or people of other faiths should not feel disrespected or left out.  All prayers go to one God regardless of how man addresses Him.





Source:

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-supreme-court-religion-catholics-jews-20140505-story.html

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/may/5/divided-court-oks-prayer-public-meetings/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/05/05/supreme-court-rules-in-favor-prayer-at-council-meetings/

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/05/us-usa-court-prayer-idUSBREA440FO20140505

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/supreme-court-upholds-legislative-prayer-at-council-meetings/2014/05/05/dc142ede-cf9d-11e3-b812-0c92213941f4_story.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/05/05/supreme-court-government-prayer-new-york/4481969/

http://www.cnn.com/2014/05/05/politics/scotus-new-york-public-prayer/

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