Victory! Supreme Court Rules—Prayer before Public Meetings Is Constitutional

05/06/2014 06:58

"As practiced by Congress since the framing of the Constitution, legislative prayer lends gravity to public business, reminds lawmakers to transcend petty differences in pursuit of a higher purpose, and expresses a common aspiration to a just and peaceful society." -Justice Anthony Kennedy

ADF sup ctAccording to a Christian Post report, the US Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of the town of Greece, New York—that Christian ministers would be allowed to pray prior to their town meetings. (Photo via Christian Post)

In the case of Town of Greece v. Galloway, the ruling came down 5-4, on Monday, with Justice Anthony Kennedy delivering the Court's opinion, with Chief Justice Roberts, and Justices Alito, Scalia and Thomas concurring.

Kennedy read: "The Court must decide whether the town of Greece, New York, imposes an impermissible establishment of religion by opening its monthly board meetings with a prayer. It must be concluded… that no violation of the Constitution has been shown.

"In Marsh v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783, the Court found no First Amendment violation in the Nebraska legislature's practice of opening its sessions with a prayer delivered by a chaplain paid from state funds," he continued.

"The decision concluded that legislative prayer, while religious in nature, has long been understood as compatible with the Establishment Clause. As practiced by Congress since the framing of the Constitution, legislative prayer lends gravity to public business, reminds lawmakers to transcend petty differences in pursuit of a higher purpose, and expresses a common aspiration to a just and peaceful society." BCN

 


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