prayer unconstitutional??

[ktheodos]

  I thought this was interesting...comments welcome:

http://www.billygraham.org/News_Article.asp?ArticleID=845

[jordandog]

Regardless of my opinions on organized religion et al, I still stand by the basic Constitutional premise of 'separation of church and state' as laid out in the First Ammendment/Bill of Rights.
If you're reading this and have no idea what I am referring to, now is as good a time as any to learn.

[lynnc35]

We wouldn't even have the constitution if the puritans did not come over here from great brittian so they could worship God. Common this country was founded on God, made by God, and now is being throne into the fire, but everyone that thinks he is smarter than God.

[Sweetpea94]

I don't think prayer is unconstitutional. Our country was based on freedom of religion.  In my opinion in any religion you pray, ( Unless you don't have a religion) so why throw fits or make comments on whether other people pray in public who cares.  Our country is all about freedom and those freedoms are slowly being taken away because people that don't believe like others are offended by whatever and want things changed to benefit them.  We can't make everyone happy so we should just accept everyone for who they are and let people live their lives freely. 

[southernhorizons]

Prayer is not unconstitutional, if fact it is protected by the first amendment. Another thing, the first amendment was not intended to mean that anyone in the government cannot practice religion. It just means that they cannot force anyone to follow a particular religion, and actually it means that they cannot make any laws that would curb the freedom of anyone to practice their religion openly.

[sandrus]

I do not believe prayer is unconstitutional......I believe that prayer is a personal choice.  I remember saying morning prayer in school, along with the Pledge of Allegience.  I didn't suffer any ill feelings, or feel oppressed.....I was comforted by the prayer, and I felt PROUD to pledge allegience to my country......as a citizen of this country....I have the right to say prayer, and pledge allegience, IF I CHOOSE.  f not, I don't have to.  That is the beauty of the constitution......you have the rght to, but you also have the right not to.......what's wrong with that?  I can never understand the outrage!!!  In this country you are free to pray.....pledge, or not!!!

[Kymberli0529]

To pray or not to pray is a personal choice and should be protected under the 'seperation of church and state'  I don't believe anyone should be forced to pray or not to pray depending on their personal preference.  There is a seperation for a reason, nobody should be forced to do anything.

[sandrus]

I think the question should be....."Why are some people soooo outraged by prayer?"  Isn't prayer a personal choice?  How can someone MAKE you pray? As a retired teacher, I have experience with the issue of prayer, and in 25 years of teaching, I have never been aware of any instance where any child was "forced" to pray, or pledge allegience to the flag. 
It always seems so interesting to me, that in times of despair, or illness, when people are desperate, they often turn to prayer......what is THAT about?
I think of people who are incarceratd.....often turn to religion, of some denomination.  When we are at war.....the men and women who are seeing action....turn to prayer.  People in hospitals, dealing with illness....turn to prayer.  Perhaps those who are so offended by prayer, have never had tragedy or situations in their lives, to lead them to search for respite, comfort, or the prospect of hope!  In times of need.....I worry about those people who have no outlet for hope.  Where do THEY turn, in time on need?

[jwalker9316]

Christmas is a national holiday. That doesn't mean you have to celebrate it.

National day of prayer being unconstitutional? 

Regardless of my opinions on organized religion et al, I still stand by the basic Constitutional premise of 'separation of church and state' as laid out in the First Ammendment/Bill of Rights.
If you're reading this and have no idea what I am referring to, now is as good a time as any to learn.

So, first amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,"

How exactly does having a national day of prayer establish a religion? Think about why the founding fathers included this. People came to this country seeking religious freedom. They did not want another Church of England type deal where the government is the church and the church is the government.

[jordandog]

Christmas is a national holiday. That doesn't mean you have to celebrate it.

National day of prayer being unconstitutional? 

Regardless of my opinions on organized religion et al, I still stand by the basic Constitutional premise of 'separation of church and state' as laid out in the First Ammendment/Bill of Rights.
If you're reading this and have no idea what I am referring to, now is as good a time as any to learn.

So, first amendment says "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,"

How exactly does having a national day of prayer establish a religion? Think about why the founding fathers included this. People came to this country seeking religious freedom. They did not want another Church of England type deal where the government is the church and the church is the government.

So what is your point? You just backed up what I am saying ie separation of church and state. I said nothing about establishing a religion and the Ammendment says MUCH more than that about it anyway. The government has NO business interferring, period. What do you think I was getting at?

[VyHazelE]

That should be based on the individual to decide what to do.

THE WE THE PEOPLE  seems to only apply to the President-and those involved in the Congressional Office.   

In other words,  when was the last time the government asked you your viewpoint on something that was taking place in your Community, State or  Country?

[sgluckadoo]