From: Cheryl Singhal (csinghal@CAPACCESS.ORG)
Date: Tue Sep 05 1972 - 14:52:50 CDT
Darryl raises some interesting points, but a few addenda are needed.
Whether *I* personally believe opening anything with a prayer is breaking
a law is irrelevant; I was under the impression that SCOTUS had said that
was a fact. So, since SCOTUS says the law says we can't, if we do, then
QED, we are breaking the law.
Going to Court and swearing the tell the truth is not ALWAYS done on a
Bible; non-Christians may substitute any religious text of equal
symbolism to them -- at least, they may in Montgomery county Md.
And, for my personal opinion about public prayer -- if it's not illegal,
it should be. Somewhere, probably in the New Testament, is an
exhortation to go into a closet, close the door, and pray so only God
sees you. This does not sound like a pre-game prayer for which everyone
must stand respectfully.
Cheryl
On Tue, 5 Sep 2000, Darryl Hammill wrote:
> I take it for granted that some people believe opening a football game with a
> prayer is breaking some law? How is it that (if memory serve me right) our
> Congress in D.C. opens their day with a prayer - or when we go to court we place
> our hand on a bible and swear to tell the truth - but when the idea of a simple
> prayer (or even a moment of silence) prior to a football game comes into the
> picture there is some law being broken.
>
> The idea of a separation of church and state has been so skewed we have lost
> it's original intent. That in itself is a sad testament to what our Nation is
> becoming.
>
> D
>
