Posted on 01/24/2006 9:02:31 AM PST by vrwc0915
LINCOLN (AP) - A prayer made before the start of Tuesday's legislative session asking forgiveness for abortions and the teaching of evolution drew the ire of at least one senator and disapproving comments from others.
Sen. Ernie Chambers
Morning prayers typically are general in nature and do not touch on hot-button social, political or religious issues. Guidelines given to those who are asked to deliver the prayer, sent by the clerk of the Legislature's office, forbid talking about issues that are on that day's agenda for debate, or expressing any sentiment that could be considered political in nature.
The prayer was delivered by Tom Swartley, a minister at First Christian Church in Elm Creek. Standing at the front of the legislative chamber with his comments broadcast statewide, Swartley asked God for forgiveness for abortion, which he called a "33-year-long nightmare."
"We go to work and school and come home and watch TV while genocide, infanticide and homicide is being committed against our own children," he said.
Swartley also asked forgiveness for "teaching the religion of evolution to our young citizens."
"We put our children in the same category as other mammals and then we wonder why some act like animals," he said.
Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, who makes it a point not to be present during the daily prayer, rushed from his first-floor office up the stairs to the chamber in time to criticize the remarks shortly after they were completed.
"I have not been as enraged and furious in the Legislature as I am this morning," said an obviously upset Chambers.
Chambers, who described Swartley's prayer as divisive, insulting and wrong, renewed his call for the morning prayer to be done away with.
Lincoln Sen. DiAnna Schimek, who said she did not hear the prayer, also spoke and said she believed others in addition to Chambers had been offended.
Swartley, who remained seated under a balcony inside the legislative chamber during Chambers' comments, said he had no intention of breaking the rules governing the prayer.
"I was praying to moral issues," said Swartley, who held a Bible in his left hand. "I was not endorsing a candidate or political party."
Swartley said he had read the guidelines sent in a letter from the clerk's office inviting him to deliver the prayer, and he didn't think praying about abortion would be in violation.
"I feel bad about the turmoil, but I don't feel bad about my convictions, which are based on the Bible," he said.
Sen. Jim Cudaback of Riverdale, the lawmaker who invited Swartley, said Swartley had stepped over the line. Cudaback said he sends letters to numerous churches in his district seeking those interested in giving the prayer, and Swartley responded.
"You don't bring that kind of subject," Cudaback said of Swartley's prayer. "You're here to make us feel good."
Says it all right there
Throw a rock into a pack of dogs, the one who yelps the loudest is the one hit...
No, that's what the bottle of Scotch is for.
I'm not exactly familiar with Nebraska politics, but Cudaback and Chambers sound like a couple of complete a$$hats. Who is to blame for electing THEM???
Mr. Swartley should be remembered as a hero for his convictions.
Yep. I think the probability of a thread hijack on this one is pretty high, however.
Prayers are not supposed to touch on religous issues, those and other hot button issues have no place in prayer and should be submitted directly to God after death. (sarc off)
Just when I thought the Unicam couldn't get any stupider, we get a fundamentalist twit praying that students won't learn a scientific theory.
Cudaback is just a generic rural political hack. Chambers has a, ahem, 'diverse' district.
On the bright side, Cudaback is term limited in 2006 and Chambers in 2008.
Tom Swartley, a minister at First Christian Church in Elm Creek = Nut and "Useful Idiot" for the Anti-Western Luddites that are trying to destroy the Conservative Movement by their Lies
Pastor Joe Wright - Prayer in Kansas House of Representatives ...
At least add NEBRASKA to the headline, so some of us can skip over the post.
Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, who makes it a point not to be present during the daily prayer, rushed from his first-floor office up the stairs to the chamber in time to criticize the remarks shortly after they were completed.
This guy makes a point not to attend the prayer.
It's OK. Evolutionary boiology is not a religion.
They going to give a leftist preacher the same forum for his political beliefs?
Stewart Freakin Pidity, thats what this is..
If this is going to be lumped in with all conservative, religious type issues, then I, and a whole host of others, will be out.
Why is a prayer allowed to start a legislative session anyway ? The taxpayer is supposed to pay for people's time to indulge their fantasy life ? Isn't there work to be done ? Keep that crap in the churches and temples, and leave government to serious folk.
Truth hurts, don't it, Ernie?
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