“Our Founders, and generations of Americans since, sought freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.”
At practically all levels of government, dysfunction is an all too familiar reality. Nowhere is this more obvious to the American people than in what they see happening in Washington day after day. Yet, despite the often contentious and divisive debates that take place in Congress, every morning in the U.S. Senate we are reminded of the truly important things that unite us as “one nation, under God.”
Every day before debate commences, the Senate pauses for prayer and reflection. It is an opportunity for senators to affirm what unites us and those we represent, and to reflect on the profound duty we owe our fellow Americans. As a nation founded on Judeo-Christian values, legislative bodies throughout the country, from the Senate down to local city governments, have made prayer a routine part of their day before getting down to the people’s business. Unfortunately, a recent ruling by a federal court in New York threatens to put an end to this.
The latest skirmish in this battle comes from the town of Greece, New York. There, the town council invites guest chaplains to lead a prayer before each session. The opportunity to deliver the prayer (or reflection) is open to individuals of all faiths, and none at all. Prayers have been offered by members of various Christian denominations, the Jewish faith, and a Wiccan. Nevertheless, because the town is overwhelmingly Christian, so are a large number of prayers. This was too much for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled the town had violated the First Amendment to the Constitution prohibiting the establishment of religion.
This ruling is astounding and runs counter to what America has always been. The decision would put courts between Americans and their conscience, evaluating and second-guessing the content of prayers…
Read full story: http://www.christianpost.com/news/one-nation-under-god-101798/
