Have we discussed MO's right to pray amendment?

[Deleted]

abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/08/missouri-passes-right-to-pray-amendment-re-stating-freedoms/


Missouri Passes Right-to-Pray Amendment, Re-stating Freedoms




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Missouri voters passed a constitutional amendment asserting the right to pray.

Reiterating a protected right under the U.S. Constitution, on Tuesday Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the state constitution reiterating individuals’ right to pray publicly and in schools.

On a day when GOP primaries promised the most competitive statewide races, it passed with 83 percent of the vote, with only two precincts still outstanding. The measure was introduced by Republican state Rep. Mike McGhee and moved onto the ballot by the General Assembly.

The amendment’s official ballot title:


Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure:

• That the right of Missouri citizens to express their religious beliefs shall not be infringed;

• That school children have the right to pray and acknowledge God voluntarily in their schools; and

• That all public schools shall display the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution

Freedom of speech and religion are already protected under the Bill of Rights, and critics of the bill called it unnecessary and a push to trample religious minorities. Republican lawmakers pursued the measure as a clarification of doubt.

Speaking to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch in May, Democratic state Rep. Mike Kelly criticized the amendment as “jobs bill for lawyers.” The measure also drew opposition from the Islamic Foundation of St. Louis, which voiced fears that the bill sent a message of exclusion to religious minorities. Missouri’s four Catholic bishops supported the amendment, the Post-Dispatch reported.

Religion’s constitutional protections haven’t kept school-prayer issues out of court, in cases that have riled Christian conservatives. Last spring, for instance, a federal judge barred students at a Texas high school from asking audience members to pray at a graduation ceremony, before the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted the ban.

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I didn't hear anything about this at all until I saw the headline just now. Can anyone from MO weigh in?

[basilosaurus]

Yep, more ridiculousness responding to the "war" on christianity. Absolutely horseshit. Basically it's just a way to say they want prayer in schools and government meetings. Nevermind what the courts have said about it.

[mkesweetie]

I have started de-friending every person on FB that posts about any kind of "attack on Christianity". I cannot handle the stupidity.

People need to gain some perspective. You'd think this week, of all weeks, that wouldn't be too hard.

[ChillyMcFreeze]

Aug 8, 2012 15:34:11 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

This Amendment bought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.

:Y:

[basilosaurus]

Aug 8, 2012 15:34:11 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

This Amendment bought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.

It's not redundant to them, though. They think that because there's no prayer in school students are prevented from praying. That's simply not the case, legally, but they use bills like this to allow the types of in school proselytizing that the courts have repeatedly struck down.

They want to carve out a way for the student class president to get on the intercom every morning and lead the school in a prayer for Jesus. Or to have a student open football games with a Jesus rally. This is the type of thing that goes on in schools every day that the ACLU usually gets them to quit with a letter, but not always.

And then add that to the government. They want to open meetings with a prayer to Jesus. There's a case going on in Georgia now about that. 99% of the prayers specifically mentioned Jesus, but they're claiming it's ok because anyone's invited to speak.

[dylanite]

This is worse than congress addressing college football playoff scenarios. Fucking waste of time. Insecure members of the majority religion wailing on about their urge to oppress and out those who disagree with their fairy tale. As Brad Pitt said, "God damn you, God."

[Deleted]

Aug 8, 2012 15:34:11 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

This Amendment bought to you by the Department of Redundancy Department.

Exactly. The first amendment just isn't enough apparently.

[Deleted]

The poor oppressed Christian majority.

Also, re: even voluntary prayer in school:

"But I'll tell you why it should be front and center. It's not the first
amendment, it's not religious freedom, it's not church and state, it's not... abstract...
It's the fourth grader who gets his ass kicked at recess 'cause he sat out
the voluntary prayer in homeroom. It's another way of making kids different from other
kids when they're required by law to be there. That's why you want it front and center; fourth
grader; that's the prize."

I can't think of school prayer without thinking of Toby and that WW quote.