Dennis & Sandy Sasso have a good opinion column in the Indy Star on the subject of legislative prayer entitled Time to move forward. In particular, I enjoyed this passage:
[W]hen we attend a public event sponsored by our city, state or national government, we are not guests. We are family, part of the large gathering of diverse citizens, equal stakeholders, who make up the tapestry of our nation. We expect the words spoken to include all citizens regardless of race, gender or religion. We should not simply be tolerated or even warmly welcomed. We should not be made to feel like visitors. We should feel at home.
The United States, founded on Enlightenment principles and inspired by ideals of the Judeo-Christian heritage, is not a Christian country where other faiths are merely accommodated. It is a country where members of all religions and those of no religion are welcome as full citizens.
I think that should be stressed. The United States Government was constituted as being secular in nature, having no theocratic affiliation. The United States is not a Christian Nation. It is a nation with a lot of Christians. That is why Judge Hamilton was correct in limiting government speech.
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