The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette has an editorial entitled Legislative prayers. The paper takes Speaker Bosma to task for allowing sectarian prayer as part of the official business of the Indiana House of Representatives. What’s more, they call him on his b.s. response to the ICLU’s lawsuit:
Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma has declared his indignation over a lawsuit challenging the type of prayers that began the House sessions this year, but Bosma only has himself to blame.
As speaker, Bosma tolerated clergy giving messages that pushed the bounds of propriety in an official government function. Ministers simply should not be given the floor of the House to proselytize or lead the singing of “Just a Little Walk with Jesus†in the halls of government.
Many Hoosier Christians may well question what is wrong with ministers repeatedly referring to Jesus when they lead the House in prayer. In a state where Christianity is overwhelmingly the religion of choice, it can be difficult to remember that Jews, Muslims, Mormons and followers of other non-Christian religions are among the citizens whom members of the House serve. The majority may rule, but religious freedom is meant to protect those who are in the minority as well.
“This is another unfortunate effort to use the courts to restrict the opportunity for public citizens and legislators to exercise their right to free speech,†Bosma said – disingenuously – in reaction to the lawsuit that the Indiana Civil Liberties Union filed. The fact is that no one speaks in the House without the speaker’s permission. Non-legislators rarely address the House on the chamber floor, and they do so only when the speaker approves. Sporting and entertainment stars get the privilege. Everyday Hoosiers rarely do.
Though Bosma has expressed outrage that the courts will become involved, there should be no surprise that sermonizing on the House floor is the target of a lawsuit. Given the principle of the separation of church and state and the wording of the First Amendment, religious words in the halls of government have frequently been the subject of lawsuits. Courts have, for the most part, sought to strike the balance between freedom of speech and preventing government endorsement of a specific religion.
The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 1983 case involving the Nebraska Legislature, ruled that opening sessions with prayer “has become a part of the fabric of our society†and is permissible – as long as “there is no indication that the prayer opportunity has been exploited to proselytize or advance any one, or to disparage any other, faith or belief.â€
The distinction is reasonable and fair. Had Bosma followed it, there would be no lawsuit.
Normally I try to merely excerpt portions of articles, but that one was so well and concisely written, I didn’t see any filler to be removed. So, my apologies to the Journal Gazette, and I would encourage anyone from that organization to let me know if they feel I’ve overstepped the bounds of copyright propriety.
Also as an aside, since I’ve started this blog, I’ve become aware of what a quality publication the Journal Gazette is. Good writing. Coverage of a state-wide scope (with obvious concentration around Fort Wayne). It’s nice to have a competitor with the Indianapolis Star for state coverage.
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