The U.S. House of Representatives can
continue to open its sessions in prayer, a U.S. District Court recently ruled.
The practice was challenged by Freedom
From Religion Foundation (FFRF) Co-President Dan Barker last year after he was
told he could not deliver a secular invocation. He sued U.S. House Chaplain Patrick Conroy for
“violating his rights” under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and
the U.S. Constitution. The FFRF filed
the lawsuit on the National Day of Prayer.
Not only is Congress banning non-believers
from participating, the FFRF argues, but they are spending $800,000 in taxpayer
resources for opening prayers. Barker,
the group said, submitted all necessary documentation and even offered a draft
of his prepared remarks.
Yet, the District Court has ruled on
the side of prayer.
House Speaker Paul Ryan applauded the
court’s decision, especially in context of Rep. Steve Scalise’s (LA-R) miraculous
recovery after being shot at a congressional baseball practice over the summer. “Since the first session of the Continental
Congress, our nation’s legislature has opened with a prayer to God. Today, that tradition was upheld and the
freedom to exercise religion was vindicated. The court rightfully dismissed the claims of
an atheist that he had the right to deliver a secular invocation in place of
the opening prayer. Recently, especially
following the return of Majority Whip Steve Scalise, this institution has been
reminded about the power of prayer. I commend the District Court for its
decision, and I am grateful that the People’s House can continue to begin its
work each day as we have for centuries: taking a moment to pray to God.”
Upon his return to Capitol Hill, Scalise
shared with his colleagues how his faith pulled him through the most
frightening moments of his life.
Rev.
Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain
(Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor,
Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel
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