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Sunday, June 15, 2008
Prayer in Public?
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
I understand why prayer is not allowed in public school. I understand, too, why moments for silent prayer are also not allowed. And I have no problem with that. However, I did think it strange when I was at City Hall for the opening of the Council meeting. (I guess, after all these years, I was never in the room the moment the meetings started before!) Mayor Mallory opened the meeting with silent prayer.
So I can’t help but wonder why public school cannot have prayer, but public government meetings can?
In today’s Enquirer, there is a whole piece about local government struggling with the “religion issue” as churches wish to rent space in places like public parks to conduct worship services. I don’t really care if a church has a service in a park, and I also don’t care if a rabid atheist decided to protest the church service in the pubic park, too.
I guess I’m just wondering at the consistency of it all.
When the issue of prayer in schools comes up, there is a vehement block which opposes the concept in any form. Where are those activists at the beginning of City Council meetings?
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15 Jun 2008 at 08:09 am | #
Dean,
There is a double standard there. One question, why does the atheist have to be rabid?
15 Jun 2008 at 10:17 am | #
The atheist does not need to be rabid. But I imagined it that way, for humor’s sake.
15 Jun 2008 at 06:49 pm | #
I don’t see why atheists would care if they wanted to occasionally use the space for services. Putting up a sign in front of their amphitheater while they are doing so. No big deal.
If the whole park was turned into some great big advertising space there might be a question (as their might be with any group) If the signs are nothing more say “Jones family picnic, Amphitheater, 2nd right” who cares.
If they started to dominate the space so that no other group could use it, then I would see that as an issue to. But that would be a similar concern with any group religious or not. You can’t have the Jones Family Picnic dominating a prime location every week with no one else able to have that chance.
With the information presented by the Enquirer, I don’t see what the issue is with just having it.
Fund raising/collections at the park may be an issue. But I would assume that the same rules apply to everyone.
15 Jun 2008 at 07:19 pm | #
OK. There does appear to be a concern with noise & music at that location. Again, if the same rules apply to everyone, I don’t see what the issue is.
16 Jun 2008 at 12:28 am | #
Well, the public stadium was used for a religious purpose - for just payment and the Square was used for Christmas messages. I think the issue of public facilities of any kind being used for a religious purpose is well settled law. The facility just must maintain equal access to all and on the same terms.
Some people are bound to be offended by any organization - religious, political, or otherwise. I think the courts have decided that all’s fair.
As to the prayer before public meetings - I find it offensive every time I am forced to tolerate a public official using a public meeting to further their personal religion. I’m not an atheist, but I resent the assumption that I believe in God or Jesus. And, I resent ANY mere man directing my faith, prayer or observance in such a setting.
I wouldn’t mind a moment of silence for meditation, but specifically for prayer - crosses the line.
16 Jun 2008 at 07:09 am | #
No silent praying at Norwood City Hall! All regular Norwood City Council meetings start with everyone standing and reciting a standard prayer aloud together, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. I’ve never heard anyone object to the practice except to say the council members sometimes don’t follow the ideals expressed in the prayer!
16 Jun 2008 at 08:10 pm | #
Anon 5 wrote:
I am not a religious person at all, however, I don’t see the big deal about someone publicly praying. I don’t know exactly what you mean by futher their personal religion. If it involves conversion tactics then I fully understand, but if it is just regular prayer or the mention of God or Jesus does it really matter? Also, what if it is not Christian, but Hindu for example? Does it bother you to see a Muslim praying?
I look at public prayer as no different than public cussing. Is it in bad taste? I guess, but at the end of the day, does it really matter? Nope, it’s all just words, especially if you are not religious.
18 Jun 2008 at 02:52 pm | #
A moment of silence is not a prayer.
18 Jun 2008 at 05:04 pm | #
You are correct, but a “moment for silent prayer” is different than a “moment of silence.”