Rock of offense: By blackballing Christian prayer, a federal judge creates a state religion

WORLD ^ | December 17, 2005 | Gene Edward Veith

[BenLurkin]

Islamic prayers—as were also offered in the Indiana House and noted with approval in Judge David Hamilton's ruling—begin "In the name of Allah, the merciful." Is it legal to invoke Allah's name, and not that of Jesus Christ?

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Sad.

[L98Fiero]

And un-Constitutional.

[Galveston Grl]

This article is spot on. That is exactly what this atheist judge did - he established the State prayer and if you choose to pray otherwise, you are in violation of his established religion and in danger of punishment. This has to be overturned and/or Americans must disobey it and let the petty dictator come arrest them. If I were an elected leader there I would be walking around saying "Hi (Jesus) how (Jesus) are (Jesus) you (Jesus)."

[microgood]

The Indiana House of Representatives should tell the Federal Court to go to Hell and do what they want.

[yer gonna put yer eye out]

"The Indiana House of Representatives should tell the Federal Court to go to Hell and do what they want."

No need...sounds like the Fed is well on it's way...

[Russ]

Is the Indiana House controlled by a Republican majority? It would take a backbone to defy the judge's ruling and I'm not sure Republicans are up to it these days.

[untrained skeptic]

The proper response to this is to ignore the judge and do it anyway. What's the federal judge going to do about it?

Let an elected official lead the prayer and let him tell the judge that he is exercising his first ammendment rights.

Have him tell the judge that he is answerable for what he says to the people who elected him, and if they are unhappy with him expressing his personal faith while in office they can choose to not reelect him.

[PeterPrinciple]

any kind of prayer that mentions "Christ's name or title."

Very specific language.

[microgood]

It would take a backbone to defy the judge's ruling and I'm not sure Republicans are up to it these days.

Good point, unfortunately.

[VOA]

Is it legal to invoke Allah's name, and not that of Jesus Christ?

Probably (in my non-expert opinion).
Seeing how all the Democrats and ACLU Jihad is built on the
Jeffersonian "separation of church and state".
And Jefferson never said anything about "separation of mosque and state".

Amazing how picky liberals are when doing an exegesis of their scriptures.

[RonF]

The Indiana State Constitution, in Article 4, Section 8 says of its legislators:

"They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

Seems to me that the courts of Indiana can't do a damn thing if one of the legislators themselves offered a prayer on the floor of the legislature. Even if they find it a violation of their constitution, the Indiana Executive branch is powerless to prevent it.

[wolfcreek]

"In the name of Allah, the merciful."

Sorry, but isn't that their GOD?

[PaxMacian]

"A federal court has ruled that the Indiana House of Representatives may not open with any kind of prayer that mentions "Christ's name or title." "

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech,"

Courts cannot make law by fiat which is wholly unconstitutional.
Who will arrest someone in this country for speaking the name of Christ?
That pig will be roasting on a pit before nightfall!

[americangirl1031]

Yes, the Indiana House is controlled by Republicans. I don't know if the Republicans will defy the ruling, but it sounds like a Democrat might. Rep. Goodin, a Crothersville Democrat, has said that he wanted to deliver the first prayer when the House opens next month. He was quoted as saying

"A judge is not going to tell me what I can or cannot say to express my belief in Christ."

[Sopater]

"And blessed is he who does not take offense at Me."

- Matthew 11:6, Luke 7:23

But Peter said to Him, "Even though all may fall away, yet I will not."

- Mark 14:29

[red irish]

Where is the oucry that there should be of the christians in this country. Over the years we have been asleep. How can a christian nation have 40 million deaths from abortion and not rise up in great numbers. There are too many of those who say they are christian and go along with gay marriage, abortion. Conversion should be first with the christians. John the Baptists lost his head preaching to repent of sin. And Jesus said there was no one greater than John the Baptist. We need more preaching on sin and repentance.The battle has been won by christ but the war against him is still very much on.

[Cindy]

DITTO.

[Cindy]

DITTO.