[Pharmboy]

Lipsky starts out seemingly dealing with the issue of prayer in the public arena, then at the end drifts off into prayers link to patriotism. This is a muddled piece, but I post it for its historical value.

[Pharmboy]

As I read the First Amendment, no where does it prohibit prayer in school...just call me crazy.

Ye Olde RevWar/Colonial History/General Washington ping lifte

Your Humble & Obdt. Svt.,
P_____y

[Sacajaweau]

There were plenty of loyalists in 1774....and pacifists.

Remember that Washington himself was a British soldier early on.

[k4gypsyrose]

“The Constitution, after all, prohibits Congress from making any law either respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

Prohibiting the free exercise thereof...If I want to open a meeting with a prayer, then I have the right to do so under the constitution.

[MosesKnows]

meetings of the town board

The 1st Amendment to the Constitution contains the answer.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The Congress of the Federal government shall make no law! It does not say, State governments, County governments, or Local governments; it says Congress, only Congress.

The Constitution does not grant Congress the power to legislate religion therefore prayers at a local town meetings are not the business of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court can only rule on issues that the Congress is empowered to legislate.

[Zeta Beam]

What happens when a whole bunch of people show up to do it? Draw straws?

[the OlLine Rebel]

“letting citizens voluntarily offer a prayer.”

Fine thing when this exact situation becomes a point of contention.

I won’t comment on my pathetic commie-atheist-envirnut cousin who cheers on every effort to make war on every little reference to God in “the public arena”.