Separation Anxiety

"Thou shalt not mention specific deities in public prayers." That's how Julian Walker of the Virginian-Pilot began her report from Richmond, VA about six State Police troopers who work as chaplains had resigned the religious part of their jobs in protest to new policies being enforced which forbid the mention of a particular god by name.

Some Republican legislators see it as an "attack on Christianity" and as a violation of the chaplains' First Amendment right to freedom of expression. In a written statement issued by the office of House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith (R-Salem), the decision was attacked and he accused Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's administration of banning "references to Jesus Christ."

Controversy flared up when Col. W. Steven Flaherty, the State Police superintendent, instructed his department's 17 chaplains to abide by a recent federal court decision upholding the constitutionality of nonsectarian prayers at government functions. Chaplains provide much needed spiritual guidance and counseling to troopers and their families, but at public functions officers are permitted to use only nondenominational prayers.

Flaherty emphasized the importance of those representing a state government agency to "be inclusive and respectful of the varied ethnicities, cultures, and beliefs of our employees, their families and citizens at large." Not surprisingly, a spokesperson for Americans United for Separation of Church and State supports the policy, but wondered whether it goes far enough.

I, like Barack Obama, pray to Jesus. I am a Christ follower and a staunch advocate of First Amendment Rights and deplore any government intrusion upon a person's free expression of their religious beliefs. In private counseling sessions these chaplains should pray with the family as they feel led and in a way that is most helpful to that family.

If prayers are said at government events then those voicing those prayers need to police themselves and be respectful of the religious mix of their audience. I usually pray "in Jesus name", but at City Council, School Board or other public events I have found that addressing God as "Our Heavenly Father" works just fine.