High court ruling favors prayer at council meeting
WASHINGTON (AP) — A narrowly divided Supreme Court upheld decidedly Christian prayers at the start of local council meetings on Monday, declaring them in line with long national traditions though the country has grown more religiously diverse.
The content of the prayers is not significant as long as they do not denigrate non-Christians or try to win converts, the court said in a 5-4 decision backed by its conservative majority.
Though the decision split the court along ideological lines, the Obama administration backed the winning side, the town of Greece, N.Y., outside of Rochester.
The outcome relied heavily on a 1983 decision in which the court upheld an opening prayer in the Nebraska Legislature and said prayer is part of the nation’s fabric, not a violation of the First Amendment’s guarantee of freedom of religion. SOURCE
Well, imagine that. Maybe this will put an end to any more assaults on the FREEDOMS of others by the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the various atheists groups that rear their ugly, and very STUPID heads on occasion..
Let me make this point very clear to all that read here: no one can FORCE me to say a prayer, but no one can STOP me from saying one either, any time, any place. I am NOT a bible thumper, but I believe in FREEDOM in general. I also believe in the premise of freedom OF religion and freedom FROM religion too.
Anyone trying to FORCE either on people would be wrong.
Some will say, ‘Oh but Fred, how can you be so cruel as to call the Freedom from Religion Foundation and the various atheists groups ugly and stupid?’
Well, in all honesty, I only call them that because they ARE. They try to force their beliefs off on We, The People when We, The People aren’t forcing anything off on them.
I am merely engaging in that Freedom of Speech that the First Amendment guarantees to me as I express MY opinion on MY blog page.
Amendment I
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 Freedom from Religion Foundation and various atheists groups from the DFW area made an attempt to force the Rowlett City Council to stop opening our Council meetings with a brief invocation. The FFRF and the Rowlett Atheists claimed that THEIR rights were being violated because the Council held an invocation, not a forced participation type of invocation mind you, just a simple invocation where everyone was invited to stand and to participate, but only IF THEY CHOSE TO DO SO.
These people also claim that the U.S. Constitution declares that there shall be a separation of church and state, and that is supposed to mean that no prayer can be said at ANY meeting of a governmental body.
Of course there is no such wording anywhere in the Constitution, thus another reason for me to look at these people and see STUPID written all over their faces.
The FFRF folks also seem to have a reading comprehension problem as well.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof” is about as plainly stated as anything can be. The government can’t make you pray but they can’t stop you from praying either.
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom from religion, free will, all are a part of this nation but no one has a right to FORCE any particular action on others, be it religious or otherwise.
Rowlett, and hundreds of other communities in this great nation have long opened their meetings with a prayer, now maybe the atheists can find a new campaign, it appears that the Supreme Court just slammed the door on their attempt to force their beliefs off on others.
Most people get the 1st Amendment wrong in what it means. What it means, for the unknowing, is the government can’t set up a government sanctioned religious system, the way the Soviet Union did for instance, and tell people what they can and cannot believe. It doesn’t mean there can’t be prayer in schools, or City Council meetings, or any other place. Our fore-fathers were strong believers in God and Divine Providence, and they never endeavored on anything important without asking His guidance.
It also means we have the right to speak our minds on issues, such as the government, without fear of repercussion or retaliation against us. I have been in countries where they do not have this right, and saw first hand the fear in a man’s eyes when I asked him about Ferdinand Marcos in his own establishment.
It means we have the right to meet together on a variety of issues without fear, such as political rallies, bingo, Mayfest, or even to gather in numbers protesting the goings-on of our government, as long as we aren’t inciting riots or other civil unrests.
It means opinions can be voiced and printed in various media, spoke on in public even on the air waves, as long as we aren’t inciting civil unrest.
Basically, it means as long as we aren’t breaking the law we are to be left ALONE, in peace, and we can think whatever we want, talk about whatever we want, go wherever we want, and if someone is speaking on something we don’t agree with, we can choose to either ignore that person or people, or call them to debate whatever issue, or just plain tell them we think they are wrong, and as long as we don’t start a fight it’s all good.
Amen Capt. Ron! Amen! Spot on!
Goof stuff, Fred! (But you just knew it would be a 5 - 4 decision, one way or the other.)
JDL
The SCOTUS is, if nothing else, fairly predictable..
Roberts, once again, being THE swing vote.
BZ
My mistake; I meant KENNEDY.
BZ
So glad the Rowlett city council did not “cave” before the onslaught of the Wisconsin carpet baggers. They have been vindicated.
Keep your powder dry
The atheists have already vowed that this is the start of Round II for the City of Rowlett… Maybe this time they’ll actually have the balls to stand and get arrested… Defiance of Federal Law his a heavy burden… 😈
Not sure what they can do. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. If they want to protest outside, well, “go for it.” But the court case or threat of suit no longer has any legs.
Keep your powder dry
These votes are just way too close. We must take the Senate if we want to keep any semblance of a third branch of government.
“I am NOT a bible thumper, but I believe in FREEDOM in general.”
Agreed. What this country needs now is more speech, not less.
BZ
And as of tonight the Rowlett Atheists were a no show…
I guess “Round 2” means “no mas.”
Keep your powder dry
A funny thing… Now, according to the Rowlett atheists, we are ALL a bunch of Fascists, wrapped in the Flag and carrying a bible… 😛
Maybe they should move. Sounds like a rough neighborhood.
Keep your powder dry