[Illbay]

This is a Christian nation,...

No, it is not. It is a nation where freedom of conscience, not a specific religious faith or philosophy, is the rule.

This was a boorish way to behave, and the clergyman owes an apology.

[Hoppean]

This is a Christian nation,...

No, it is not.

LOL! Never thought I'd see that written on a conservative board.

[sauropod]

This was a Christian nation.

Pharasaical readings of the Constitution stripped it of this particular characteristic.

[narses]

The US is a clearly Christian country, including the Christian principles of tolerance and respect. The entire sociopolitical matrix that created and has nurtured us over the last 2+ centuries is Christian in nature. Our legal structure and our culture are intrinsically Christian.

[DoughtyOne]

Look, how would you like it if the Christian demanded the Jewish participants refrain from using the label Messiah? Ilbay, if we're going to respect other people's regligous views, they need to respect ours. This is a complete denial of the Christian faith. We pray to Jesus. They pray to the Messiah. I don't see a problem with that.

[DED]

You are right (this country IS a nation of religious freedom) - and wrong....
Read up on the founding of the nation and show me in the history books where the Jewish and Muslim founders are listed.

[CaptainJustice]

No. If you have a christian minister deliver a prayer, expect a christian prayer. I say, if people cant handle it, then quit praying at the start. Obviously its not about the prayer, its about appearances anyway. The pastor was right not to step down. They asked a christian to come so they got what they ask for. If you're offended by it, leave, or lobby to get rid of the prayer. Its obviously meaningless to most of these lawmakers anyway, what do they care. Ugh, i hate the arrogance of the antireligious.

[rabidralph]

Wow, Illbay, you're on a roll: making up for all of the perceived muslim-trashing you're so eager to point out on other threads! You, go, dude!

[laureldrive]

a nation where freedom of conscience

except for Christians, who aren't allowed to speak their own prayers in public. I'm one, and I wouldn't raise a ruckus if a Buddhist were giving an invocation;; why can't you bear to hear a christian profess his faith? If we really are the free-conscience multi-belief society you say, then why can't you allow others to express their beliefs?