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Chuck Norris’ enthusiasm for the freedom of religion is greater than his understanding of the First Amendment that protects it. He offers one of many possible interpretations of the language that forbids Congress from making laws respecting an establishment of religion or preventing the free exercise of various religious beliefs. The Supreme Court has struggled to define how the intent of the First Amendment should be implemented, and Jefferson’s approach of separating Church and State is one way to assure the integrity of each.
By pretending that the First Amendment has one clear meaning, Norris ignores political reality. The amendment’s ambiguity was probably important to its adoption, since there was no consensus among the Founding Fathers about the role of religion in the public life of our nation.
The relevant Supreme Court decisions allow public officials to offer ceremonial prayers in legislative settings, as long as no particular religious doctrine is endorsed. I doubt that any of our devout elected officials would say that their participation in invocations is purely ceremonial. Even if our City Council and County Commission could conform their prayers to the requirements of the law without disrespecting their own religious beliefs, they would still endanger the perception of fairness upon which the legitimacy of their actions depends.
Many of those attending the Council’s and the Commission’s meetings are there to express their views on matters under consideration and to urge a particular course of action. Several writers to The Daily Sentinel have suggested that those who don’t wish to participate in the prayer before meetings should just remain seated or leave until it is over. However, having to leave a public place to avoid getting entangled in a prayer absolutely marginalizes those who want to exercise their right to be heard on an equal footing with other citizens, and may expose them to bias.
If I wanted a decision in my favor from a public body, I might well hesitate to start by possibly offending the decision makers. Further, having to publicly demonstrate their lack of belief is inconsistent with the fact that under the First Amendment, a person’s faith or lack of it is none of the government’s business.
IRENE MAY
Grand Junction
12 Responses to “Norris ignores political reality”
Posted May 30th, 2008 at 3:52 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Thank you Irene. You perfectly explained the problem with the “like it or leave” argument.
Posted May 30th, 2008 at 3:59 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Ditto.
Posted May 30th, 2008 at 10:38 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Ashugger/toaaronuu-You better believe the lady knows what she’s talking about. She’s a retired constitutional law professor and heavy, heavy duty legal scholar. But, let’s face it, she still doesn’t know as much as Willis, right?
Posted May 30th, 2008 at 10:46 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Finally some clear headed rational thought on the subject by someone who knows what she is talking about! And finally a clear statement of what I believe has been the key point all along: ceremonial prayers are permitted but not a prayer emphasizing one religion. In every guideline which I have read about, it is emphasized that mention of Jesus Christ is prohibited.
I do hope this letter gets printed. I would have said much the same thing in my next Free Press column but not nearly so elegantly or with as much authority as Irene May.
Posted May 31st, 2008 at 10:05 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Hey folks,
I am a Christian who happens to agree with Irene. My faith tells me to pray in private. My faith is no ones’ business but my own. If I am asking an invocation at an event, I will ask for a blessing from our creator, but not mention the name of Jesus Christ unless I am at a Christian event.
The “get up and leave” argument is thoroughly bogus.
So is the practice of asking a blessing in Jesus’ name at a government function. It is just wrong. End of story.
Posted May 31st, 2008 at 12:19 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
dc-Unlike City Council, the County Commissioners do their own invocations. When Janet Rowland or Craig Meis do them, the last sentence invariably is something like, “We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ.” Their invocations are totally evangelical Christian.
Posted May 31st, 2008 at 5:34 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
dc — In my eyes you give Christianity a “good name”
I am agnostic and do see so much beauty in Jesus’ “word” whether it is real or comes out of the hearts of so many of his good followers through the millenia (I suspect it is a combination of both). I applaud and envy both your faith, and your open-mindedness.
Posted May 31st, 2008 at 9:15 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
Thank you.
Posted June 1st, 2008 at 7:13 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Christians, if you believe in Jesus, heed his advice from the book of Matthew Chapter 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. 6But 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.
Posted June 1st, 2008 at 9:56 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
I don’t know about all of you, but I find the tone and civility of this conversation very refreshing. This is what the forum was originally intended to be. I’m convinced that the quality of this discussion is a direct result of WLJ being absent from the conversation.
Posted June 1st, 2008 at 10:37 am Login to Send PM Report this comment
Sugarfoot,
I agree, completely. I only rarely respond to WLJ, american_patriot, and co. because they are stalkers who have a disruptive agenda that is wearisome, at best. On the uncommon occasion that they ever say anything relevant, I welcome their participation. Otherwise, I find the commentary and information provided by the majority of posters on this blog to be very engaging and educational.
Posted June 1st, 2008 at 12:29 pm Login to Send PM Report this comment
dc-I applaud you for your discriminating taste. If WLJ ever decides to change his “handle,” it should be along the lines of “poison toad” or “toxic sludge.”
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