July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Give support on legislative prayer issue (11/18/05)
Letters to the editor
To the editor:
I read with interest the articles from The Star Press (June 1) and The Commercial Review (June 3, 6 and 11) regarding Statehouse prayers.
The practice of opening each day with a prayer dates back to 1816, when the state of Indiana became a state. From then on we have invited ministers, pastors, rabbis and in recent years, imams. We are a Christian nation and we have done it this way for almost 190 years.
From the recent articles, the pastor that sang the song “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” after his prayer went a little overboard.
The ICLU along with Ken Falk, a retired minister, a Quaker lobbyist and two Roman Catholics, have brought a lawsuit against the Indiana House for referring to God or Jesus in their prayers. They cite the “establishment clause” or the “separation of church and state.” The ICLU and their parent, ACLU, along with individuals and groups that agree with them, including some liberal judges, said that it is in the Constitution, as I take it.
So let’s have a history lesson here. On New Year’s Day 1802, President Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association after he received a letter from them in October 1801. In his letter he expressed his concern about the separation of church and state.
Whenever the ACLU or ICLU and the liberal judges talk about the separation being in the U.S. Constitution, I challenge that suggestion.
Amendment 1 of the U.S. Constitution says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Did Congress or the State make a law to draft a bill establishing a central religion? The answer is no. To my understanding, what goes on at Capitol Hill or in the Statehouse is the freedom of speech.
The ICLU seeks to censor the Christian faith that has lasted all these years.
In the Commercial Review on June 11, House Speaker Brian Bosma vowed to fight the lawsuit. I contacted him and when his staff member answered the phone I said that I wasn’t from his district but I supported his efforts.
I wonder how many even though they are not in his district called to offer their support. It is real easy. Just call (800) 382-9841 and a switchboard operator will connect you to his office.
On Oct. 29, The Star Press said the case was heard by U.S. District Court Judge David Hamilton, who gave no timeline when he will make a ruling.
If we lose this court case, I’ll bet it will be taken to higher courts. If you haven’t contacted Brian Bosma to offer your support, please do so. I’ll be following up again from my last phone call to him.
Gary Miller
Portland
JCC thanks
To the editor:
The Jay Community Center, home of the Boys Club and Girls Club, would like to express their appreciation to several businesses that have supported youth activities this fall.
TJ’s Bicycle Shop furnished six bicycles and helped with repairs and parts. The Portland Police Department supplied four new bike helmets through the help of Officer Nathan Springer. Portland Wal-Mart contributed bottled water, snacks and other necessities with the help of Sally Montgomery. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Portland and Stan Delauter contributed a cooler and bottled water.
The bike club was able to take three trips; the kayak club was able to take two trips.
Because of the supoprt of people like these, the young people of Jay County are able to have enriching experiences that enlarge their horizons and enable them to learn valuable life skills while increasing their self-confidence.
Thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Mark and Dawn Klatt,
sponsors, Jay
Community Center
Bike and Kayak Clubs[[In-content Ad]]
I read with interest the articles from The Star Press (June 1) and The Commercial Review (June 3, 6 and 11) regarding Statehouse prayers.
The practice of opening each day with a prayer dates back to 1816, when the state of Indiana became a state. From then on we have invited ministers, pastors, rabbis and in recent years, imams. We are a Christian nation and we have done it this way for almost 190 years.
From the recent articles, the pastor that sang the song “Just a Little Talk with Jesus” after his prayer went a little overboard.
The ICLU along with Ken Falk, a retired minister, a Quaker lobbyist and two Roman Catholics, have brought a lawsuit against the Indiana House for referring to God or Jesus in their prayers. They cite the “establishment clause” or the “separation of church and state.” The ICLU and their parent, ACLU, along with individuals and groups that agree with them, including some liberal judges, said that it is in the Constitution, as I take it.
So let’s have a history lesson here. On New Year’s Day 1802, President Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptist Association after he received a letter from them in October 1801. In his letter he expressed his concern about the separation of church and state.
Whenever the ACLU or ICLU and the liberal judges talk about the separation being in the U.S. Constitution, I challenge that suggestion.
Amendment 1 of the U.S. Constitution says Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people to peaceably assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Did Congress or the State make a law to draft a bill establishing a central religion? The answer is no. To my understanding, what goes on at Capitol Hill or in the Statehouse is the freedom of speech.
The ICLU seeks to censor the Christian faith that has lasted all these years.
In the Commercial Review on June 11, House Speaker Brian Bosma vowed to fight the lawsuit. I contacted him and when his staff member answered the phone I said that I wasn’t from his district but I supported his efforts.
I wonder how many even though they are not in his district called to offer their support. It is real easy. Just call (800) 382-9841 and a switchboard operator will connect you to his office.
On Oct. 29, The Star Press said the case was heard by U.S. District Court Judge David Hamilton, who gave no timeline when he will make a ruling.
If we lose this court case, I’ll bet it will be taken to higher courts. If you haven’t contacted Brian Bosma to offer your support, please do so. I’ll be following up again from my last phone call to him.
Gary Miller
Portland
JCC thanks
To the editor:
The Jay Community Center, home of the Boys Club and Girls Club, would like to express their appreciation to several businesses that have supported youth activities this fall.
TJ’s Bicycle Shop furnished six bicycles and helped with repairs and parts. The Portland Police Department supplied four new bike helmets through the help of Officer Nathan Springer. Portland Wal-Mart contributed bottled water, snacks and other necessities with the help of Sally Montgomery. Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Portland and Stan Delauter contributed a cooler and bottled water.
The bike club was able to take three trips; the kayak club was able to take two trips.
Because of the supoprt of people like these, the young people of Jay County are able to have enriching experiences that enlarge their horizons and enable them to learn valuable life skills while increasing their self-confidence.
Thank you for your generosity.
Sincerely,
Mark and Dawn Klatt,
sponsors, Jay
Community Center
Bike and Kayak Clubs[[In-content Ad]]
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