In the fervor over the prayers in the Marysville City Council a few facts need to be pointed out.
The U.S. Constitution and numerous Supreme Court decisions have clearly held that the government cannot endorse or promote religion. Obviously when a government body sponsors a prayer with “in Jesus name we pray” this represents an endorsement of a specific religion. Attempts of the council to bring in representatives of other religions seem a contrived attempt to placate those who object to this highly improper government abuse.
If a Satanist, Branch Davidian, Scientologist, the KKK or members of other unpopular religions made a request to offer a prayer, would this be accepted by the city council? Of course not.
By endorsing no religion, while allowing free exercise of religion, the government does not put itself in the position of deciding which unproveable belief system is superior. This basic First Amendment principle is what separates our society from the predictable religious exploitations that occur in a theocratic society.
Marysville
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