Legislative bodies routinely open their meetings with an invocation. At the Capitol, it’s common for legislators to invite ministers from back home to do so for the House and Senate chambers. But what happens if the pastor mentions “Jesus” more than once or twice during the prayer? What happens if he or she thanks God for the resurrection or asks for forgiveness of sins? In some parts of the country, at least, those prayers could be banned.
The Fourth Circuit court has ruled that such prayers violate the Establishment Clause, and the Supreme Court–who issued a very pro-religious-freedom ruling just last week–has not chosen to hear an appeal on the decision. The ruling does not affect Arkansas, but legislative bodies in Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina now have to censor opening prayers before their meetings.
It’s decisions like this that chip away at religious freedom a little at a time.
