by Peter Lampros

Created on: December 22, 2009   Last Updated: December 23, 2009

Praying in public, at least for Christians, is now deemed taboo, or at least rude, in American culture today.  This is a real shame.  Muslims pray five times per day in public, at a minimum.  They shut down their whole society during these prayer times and everyone participates.  We, in our misguided attempt at political correctness, have ostracized the Christians' right to public prayer.

Our once great nation was founded upon Christian principles and ideals, regardless of what recent politicians have said about our not being a Christian nation.  Our Constitution guarantees us the right to freedom of religion, NOT freedom from religion.  Those who would undermine the Christian church have gone to great lengths to eradicate and limit the ability of Christians to openly practice their religion.

One must only go out in our cities during Christmas time to hear the "Happy Holidays" greetings by those who are afraid of celebrating Christmas for what it is, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, our Saviour.  Furthermore, the commercialism and materialism that has been associated with the Christmas season removes much of the charm and splendour it had in years past.

Restaurants are another place where, traditionally, one would encounter public prayer in the form of a blessing of the food.  Many feel out of place or inappropriate for their open blessing when out in public.  This should never be the case.  As stated previously, our Constitution guarantees us the right to practice whatever religion our heart desires.  Technically, it is unconstitutional to make someone feel inappropriate or to bring negative sanctions upon one who is openly practicing their religion.

This author has a strong faith and has no qualms about praying in public, whether it is a blessing over a business lunch, a prayer before a meeting trying to land a big deal, or the invocation/benediction at a sporting event.  It is our God given right and was included in our Bill of Rights.  He does not hesitate to openly pray, cross himself, and share his faith with others.  If they don't like it they can take their pick of morally and religiously oppressive countries to live in.

The Constitution further states that the government shall not create a state sponsored religion (separation of church and state).  This was to allow greater religious freedom in our country.  The perverse thing is that liberals and atheists have stabbed at Christian religion with this very clear clause.  The separation of church and state was not to prevent elementary school teachers from leading the Pledge of Allegiance because it contains the phrase "One nation under God".  It also doesn't mean that when a tragedy like Columbine or 9/11 happen that school children and government workers are prohibited from prayer, public or otherwise.

Part of what  is wrong with our country today is that we Christians have allowed others to take away our liberty and freedom of religion.  Consequently, we have children who are being reared in a morally bankrupt, secular society, where only the civilian law has any relevance, and that is not respected as it was in the past, when children were reared in the church.

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