The Ohio legislature allows ministers of various Christian and Jewish sects to speak a prayer before each of its sessions. These prayers are allegedly to give lawmakers a "chance to reflect" but are surely just a sop to those who want to see religion intrude into the government sector. The preachers are supposed to submit their remarks in writing three days before they are to appear and are to avoid proselytising and discussing political issues.
It turns out that it doesn't always work that way. This week the Rev. Keith Hamblen of pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Lima OH "made multiple references to Jesus, spoke favorably of church-sponsored schools and mentioned the bills up for debate that day, including a proposal to ban nudity in strip clubs after midnight". He claimed to be unaware of the rules and "never intended to advocate passage of any bill". If that is true what plausible reason could he have had for bringing up strip clubs? Perhaps he was just trying to trigger fond memories in the minds of the lawmakers.
All of this has caused House clerk Laura Clemens to get a bit stroppy.
It turns out that it doesn't always work that way. This week the Rev. Keith Hamblen of pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Lima OH "made multiple references to Jesus, spoke favorably of church-sponsored schools and mentioned the bills up for debate that day, including a proposal to ban nudity in strip clubs after midnight". He claimed to be unaware of the rules and "never intended to advocate passage of any bill". If that is true what plausible reason could he have had for bringing up strip clubs? Perhaps he was just trying to trigger fond memories in the minds of the lawmakers.
All of this has caused House clerk Laura Clemens to get a bit stroppy.
"I would hate to have to eliminate this program but may find it necessary to do so if this trend continues."
1 comment:
I watched the video tape of this prayer and really can't understand all the fuss. I heard him mention Jesus only once - at the end of the prayer - when he prayed in Jesus name (which according to the Bible Christians are supposed to do). And as far as mentioning the bills - that's all he did - mentioned them - and prayed that the house would have wisdom as they considered them. I thought it was kind of a logical thing to do.
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