What is accomplished through a public led prayer that cannot be accomplished through a moment of silence?

In my county, we are about to engage in a legal battle over government-sanctioned prayer at our county commission meetings. Each meeting is opened by one of the commission members asking everyone in attendance to rise, bow their heads and pray to "Jesus Christ, Our Lord".

A private citizen (unknown to me) contacted the Freedom From Religion Foundation and complained. The FFRF sent a letter to the commission asking them to cease this activity. The commission outright refused, and is now faced with the possibility of a law-suit.

A couple of friends from my local Freethought Association addressed the commission yesterday explaining the problems with the practice of prayer at the meetings, and suggested a moment of silence instead. Two other people addressed the commission in support of the practice. For the record, the commission showed blatant favoritism for one of those speakers, applauding her while she spoke, and even asked her to return to the podium to re-read a paragraph of her address that they found particularly appealing. They praised her publicly, and made no comment to those who opposed public prayer

In the news story that evening, the commissioners stated that they will not cease their practice of starting their meetings with a prayer to Jesus, no matter how many citizens complained, unless they are court-ordered to do so.

The refusal of the commission to consider a moment of silence in lieu of a prayer leaves me with some questions (aside from the legalities of the practice), and I'd appreciate a discussion on the matter here.

First of all, what purpose does such a public prayer serve?

Why would Christians want to have someone speak a prayer for them, rather than form the prayer in their own minds and hearts? Many Christians I know have stated that they are uncomfortable with public prayer, and feel it's much more important to be able to pray on their own.

There's so much talk about belief in the Christian God being more about a "personal relationship" with Jesus. What about a prayer in this manner is personal?

Is "God" only capable of hearing prayers that are spoken through a microphone?

Matthew 6:6 talks about private prayer vs public prayer, and the notion of making it a showcase is evident by the commissioners refusal to even consider making it a moment of silence. It isn't about the prayer, I'm thinking, but about a show of power.

What case can you make for a public prayer in a case like this? I know I posted several questions in one. Feel free to answer any that you wish, or just the main one in the title. Please keep it civil. I am asking this with genuine curiosity.

Is there something about a prayer written, led, and spoken out loud, by a different party that makes it more special?

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Asked by jsbenkert at 2:58 PM on Jun. 7, 2012 in Religious Debate

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I suppose a public prayer works better for those who prefer not to think for themselves since someone else is doing all the work. A moment of science actually requires personal thought and reflection to work properly!

Answer by SabrinaMBowen at 3:19 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
Credits: 122985 Level 40 Religious Debate Major

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Having a public prayer before the meeting may lend a feeling that those in attendance are of one accord as to the activity they'll be engaging in. Kind of like when a minister of a church leads his congregation in prayer....it lends a sense of unity.

When something is spoken people tend to pay more attention as opposed to a moment of silence during which they may be thinking about anything other than the meeting, activity, ideas, etc. at hand. It can serve to focus them on what's at hand rather then what's next week.

As for your County Commission meetings, it's quite possible that this has been a tradition from the beginning and the members see no reason to move away from it because one person didn't like it and complained. People, even whole groups of people will stand up for traditions they hold dear and that they see as having value for themselves, or in the case of a group, their members

Answer by meriana at 3:43 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
Credits: 16642 Level 23 Religious Debate 101

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As for your County Commission meetings, it's quite possible that this has been a tradition from the beginning and the members see no reason to move away from it because one person didn't like it and complained. People, even whole groups of people will stand up for traditions they hold dear and that they see as having value for themselves, or in the case of a group, their members

I'm sure it's a tradition, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be changed. We have had many "traditions" in this country that we've realized are outdated and bigoted. We've changed those. Also, the commission has stated that it won't change its practice, no matter how many citizens complain. That tells me that it's more about their sense of power than concern for the community.

Comment by jsbenkert (original poster) at 3:47 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
Credits: 87630 Level 37 Religious Debate Degree
I'm sure it's a tradition, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be changed. We have had many "traditions" in this country that we've realized are outdated and bigoted. We've changed those. Also, the commission has stated that it won't change its practice, no matter how many citizens complain. That tells me that it's more about their sense of power than concern for the community
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Possibly about power in a way. For some people traditions are very very important...kind of linking the present to the past & to their history. Older people, especially, can have difficulity in letting go of traditions that they have been taught, enjoyed & appreciated throughout their lives. Those things can have real meaning to them. I tend to think too, that people are getting a bit tired of being told to stop doing something they've done for years because someone doesn't like it or feel comfortable with it.

Answer by meriana at 3:58 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
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True, meriana, but if we don't make an effort to change it, it will always be a tradition. Sometimes, it's best to just rip off the band-aid, and let the healing begin. I also find it incredibly sad that those people would rather cling to traditions than find a way to be inclusive of a diverse community. A moment of silence would satisfy anyone's need to pray, without promoting or endorsing a single religion. It's a simple solution that can promote a sense of inclusion and good will.

Comment by jsbenkert (original poster) at 4:02 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
Credits: 87630 Level 37 Religious Debate Degree
Turn it around. What can be accomplished with a moment of silence that can not be accomplished with a public led prayer.
Either way it makes no difference. Some will partake in either and some will not in either. A person's or group's preference is the difference.

I have no problem with the moment of silence. I do not understand why the occasional publicly led prayer bothers so many. JMO.
It is a matter of to each their own and unless it is the government leading the prayer, I think who ever is sponsoring the event has the right to choose.

Answer by Dardenella at 4:11 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
Credits: 199619 Level 45 Religious Debate Degree

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Are the county commission meatings regularly attended by the citizenry or is it pretty much always just those on the council. If the later and they are good with it what difference does it make to you?
It might be a different story if hoards of citizens are always in attendance, since that could be viewed as the government trying to force a religion on others. Since I do not know the situation I can not say. I can say that here it is rarely anyone but the commission themselves.

Answer by Dardenella at 4:15 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
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"I have no problem with the moment of silence. I do not understand why the occasional publicly led prayer bothers so many. JMO.
It is a matter of to each their own and unless it is the government leading the prayer, I think who ever is sponsoring the event has the right to choose."

I agree with that. People should really stop obsessing about such banal things. It's not such a big deal if it's a moment of silence or a prayer. If the majority wants a prayer, then so be it. It's not the end of the world to wait respectfully for a couple of minutes.

Sharon

Answer by momto2boys973 at 4:16 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
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When something is spoken people tend to pay more attention as opposed to a moment of silence during which they may be thinking about anything other than the meeting, activity, ideas, etc. at hand. It can serve to focus them on what's at hand rather then what's next week.

Disagree. When in a situation where I'm forced to endure someone praying to one religion's deity on everyone's behalf, the last thing I'm doing is paying attention to what they're saying, any more than I'd sit in rapt attention at a reading of actuary tables when I'm not in the market for an insurance policy.

Answer by NotPanicking at 4:28 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
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What can be accomplished with a moment of silence that can not be accomplished with a public led prayer.

What is accomplished through public-led prayer is a sense of exclusion and a disregard for the diversity of our community.

Comment by jsbenkert (original poster) at 4:41 PM on Jun. 7, 2012
Credits: 87630 Level 37 Religious Debate Degree