| Prayer in the Legislature |
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Around the state sensationalist headlines have been proclaiming "Jesus Banned from PA House of Represenatives."
A pastor in Gettysburg was invited to give an openning prayer before the House of Representatives and planned to conclude the prayer with the words "In Jesus' name." When told he could not conclude in that way, as that would make it exclusively Christian, he refused to give the prayer entirely. Newspapers, talk-radio, and television took up the story across the state. In response, we sent letters to editors of papers across the state. We know some have been or will be published. If you've seen it in your local paper please be in touch, for in a very real way you are our eyes and ears across the state. Here is the text of the letter:
Dear Editor -
Recent attempts by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to ensure that opening prayers will be appropriate for our multi-faith society have been unfairly misconstrued as an attempt to "ban Jesus" or exclude Christians.
Under rules adopted by the House, a Christian pastor may certainly be honored with an opportunity to serve as a chaplain and recite a prayer for the legislature, as may any other religious leader. But that prayer is not on behalf of the chaplain alone. The chaplain is required by law and common courtesy to offer a prayer that takes into account the diversity of our Commonwealth. Not to take that diversity into account is a mark of disrespect. The legislature has a responsibility to insist that its guest chaplains show respect for the religious diversity among the people that the legislature represents.
Respectful chaplains before a respectful legislature will find ways to word their prayers so that everyone who engages in prayer can speak through them. Praying "in the name of Jesus" is certainly appropriate in a Christian church, but just as certainly excludes everyone who is not a Christian.
The Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania, with a constituency across the state and from many faith traditions, endorses all efforts to enhance religious liberty and avoid religious coercion - for the sake of both religion and politics in our society.
As such, we applaud the recent efforts by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to comply with the Constitution and acknowledge that Pennsylvania is a religiously diverse society.
The Pennsylvania Senate should strive to become more sensitive in its practices as well.
Rabbi Carl S. Choper Chair, The Interfaith Alliance of Pennsylvania Harrisburg Unfortunately, the State Senate has not yet tried to become more sensitive. As a follow-up, the state Senator from Gettysburg invited the same pastor to give the same prayer in front of the State Senate, which happened this past Wednesday. Look for more on that from us soon. |
