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Saturday, May 19, 2007

Law - "Ohio House members warned to tone down prayers by guest ministers"

An AP story today picked up by the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports:

Guest ministers leading prayers in the Ohio House are violating guidelines by evangelizing and speaking on political topics, the House clerk warned.

The issue reached a tipping point Wednesday when the Rev. Keith Hamblen, pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Lima, referred to Jesus more than once, spoke favorably of church schools and mentioned bills up for debate that day.

Two lawmakers walked out in protest, and House Clerk Laura Clemens sent a memo reminding lawmakers of the rules.

House guidelines require guest ministers’ prayers to be nonsectarian and nonproselytizing. They are also supposed to be submitted three days in advance for review.

“I would hate to have to eliminate this program but may find it necessary to do so if this trend continues,” Clemens wrote.

Rep. Chris Redfern, one of two Democrats who walked off the floor in protest, said prayers were intended to give legislators “a chance to reflect” but have become increasingly evangelical.

Republican Rep. Matt Huffman, who invited Hamblen to give the prayer, agreed it was inappropriate for him to mention issues on that day’s agenda.

Still pending of course is the 7th Circuit's decision in the Indiana legislative prayer case of Hindrichs v. Bosma. Oral arguments were held Sept. 7, 2006. See this ILB entry from Sept. 8, 2006.

Check here for a long list of ILB legislative prayer entries on Indiana and other states.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on May 19, 2007 11:20 AM
Posted to General Law Related