Prayer Case in the Indiana Statehouse Overturned

According to the Indianapolis Star, a landmark case for prayer involving government officials was recently overturned by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. The original case, which was brought about in 2005 by the ACLU, challenged the Indiana House of Representatives for inviting clergymen of various faiths to deliver a prayer during the opening session, a 189-year tradition. The ACLU claimed that these sectarian prayers, mainly those mentioning "Jesus," alienated those of different faiths.

Of 53 prayers delivered in 2005, nine were given by lawmakers, forty-one by Christian clergymen, and one each from a Muslim imam and a Jewish rabbi. Since most people in Indiana classify themselves as Christians, it makes sense that most prayers were given by Christian clergymen. However, the minority religions were also represented.


Even with the religious diversity, U.S. District Judge David Hamilton sided with the ACLU, and ordered that "Jesus," or any other religious icon, may not be used in the prayers. Brian Bosma, the former Speaker of the House, began the appeal process two years ago, which has since been continued by current Speaker, Pat Bauer. This time, the Court sided with the House members with a vote of 2-1.

Conservative bloggers are celebrating the victory. Indiana Voice for the Family writes of Victory in Indiana!!!, while Death By 1000 Papercuts scores Jesus 1, ACLU 0. Personally, this decision comes as great news. I have written many papers on the subject and several letters to Congressmen trying to pass a Constitutional amendment protecting prayer by government officials, but this decision makes the process much easier.

There is, however, something being done by federal lawmakers to keep this from happening again. H.R. 2104, the Public Prayer Protection Act, is a proposed bill in the House right now that takes the courts jurisdiction away in matters of prayer by government officials. I think that this is a great idea that prevents leftist judges like David Hamilton from taking away the religious freedoms of elected officials. I wholeheartedly support this bill, and recommend that those who are with me write their Congressmen to see where they stand on such an important issue that guarantees the rights we have as Americans.