Julian Walker
The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Mentions of Jesus Christ, Allah or any other deity would be permissible in public prayers made by State Police chaplains if a bill that passed the House of Delegates on Wednesday becomes law. Later Wednesday, a Senate committee delayed action on a bill that would make similar allowances for prayers at public government events.
The panel sought an opinion on the legality of the legislation from Attorney General Bob McDonnell before proceeding.
HB2314, which passed the House on a 66-30 vote, came in direct response to a non-sectarian prayer policy for chaplains announced by State Police Superintendent Col. W. Steven Flaherty in September.
In issuing the policy, Flaherty cited a 2008 federal court decision that upheld the constitutionality of a similar prohibition by the Fredericksburg City Council.
Six of the 17 state police chaplains resigned from that voluntary aspect of their jobs in protest of the policy.
The Family Foundation of Virginia took immediate umbrage to the policy, labeling it an attack on Christianity.
Following the House passage of the bill Wednesday, foundation president Victoria Cobb called it "reasonable legislation that simply protects the freedom of conscience and speech of those state police law enforcement officers who volunteer their time as chaplains."
Opponents of the bill called it unconstitutional and not welcoming to people of different faiths.
Del. Lionell Spruill, D-Chesapeake, said he was taught to conclude his prayers in Jesus' name, but people of other faiths shouldn't have to hear it at public events.
He said he doesn't like to hear prayers of different religions, "especially those of the Muslim faith that I don't care too much about."
Later, Spruill said he meant nothing against Muslims themselves, only how they end their prayer.
The constitutionality of the Senate bill, SB1072, sponsored by Sen. Steve Martin, R-Chesterfield, was questioned in the Senate Courts of Justice committee Wednesday.
Martin said his bill would extend to public prayers offered at public events by any individual. "If we call on someone to pray, we should allow them to pray to the dictates of their faith," Martin said.
Senate Majority Leader Richard Saslaw, D-Fairfax, insisted on a legal opinion about the bill from McDonnell before the panel votes.
Dave Forster, (757) 222- 5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Matthew 6:5 - And when you pray...
In the Christian religion, your not even supposed to be praying in public or in church. Jesus explicitly instructed us not to pray in public for reasons which are at the very heart of Christianity, to preserve our humility:
Matthew 6:5 - And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth; they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
And yet very few churches, who call themselves Christian, follow these clear instructions.
"hedonism"?
"Christians"? "people who's ethics and morals are actually predictable"
Well, they could bring in evangelist Ted Haggard.
Zomg!
Zowie Oh My Gosh you mean we are actually going to let Christians be police again? You mean we are going to make it ok for people who's ethics and morals are actually predictable and consistent to have guns and enforce the rules? You are kidding me right? I was really hoping to back to the good ole' days when believing in Jesus was justification for throwing people to lions. I mean after all its been two thousand years and hedonism worked out so well for the Romans...