In a post
today, Ed Brayton covered the issue of "public prayer", i.e., those
insipid prayers that are often said at governmental meetings, allegedly
to "open" the proceedings -- as if we have to talk to god first before
getting down to business. Ed asks a question of the people who insist on
this "right":
Why is it so important to you that others have to listen to your prayers? Every person at a city council meeting can pray silently any time they want. If the council wants to have a prayer before the meeting, they can do so in their offices before they start the meeting. The attendees at the meeting can pray before the meeting starts, individually or as a group. Why does it matter to you so much that others who don’t wish to pray have to stand by silently while you do? I think the answer to that question is patently obvious.Indeed. (Bolding mine.)
