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?

Thank you for reading (and printing from) The Cincinnati Beacon.