A recent protest by Indiana House Republicans might have unintentionally stumbled onto the remedy to a church-state conflict that has continued throughout American history. \nIn response to a federal judge's ban on prayers that invoke the name of Jesus Christ during proceedings at the Indiana House of Representatives, Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma and other House leaders protested the ruling to ban the traditions by huddling in the back of the House chamber minutes before the opening gavel to pray. \nWhat makes this act so significant is not just the actions of the Right, but the reaction of the Left. The majority of Democratic representatives have absolutely no problem with these prayers. The importance of these events might not sound like the kind of behavior that spawns effective political revolutions, but the potential significance of this event is enormous. \nPrivate group religious observances before the beginning of the workday could be an answer to the sticky church-state conflict. They not only guard against a government religious mandate, but it also creates room for people of other religions to act as they please. These observances are in a safe space where every religion is respected equally without intimidating anyone into observing anything, if they choose not to.\nHaving your cake and being able to eat it too ranges from rare to nonexistent in the land of partisan politics, but the Indiana Representatives have shown that effective compromise and collaboration are possible, despite which way one votes.\nIt is naïve to suggest that personal beliefs do not regularly affect the ethical make-up and decision making of policy makers -- whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish or atheist. Nevertheless, giving everyone an opportunity to be himself or herself under an indiscriminate law is what America is all about. \nKudos to local representatives who can prove that politicians can act rationally and fairly when dealing with the sensitive topic of religion.
Dissent\nSpeaker Brian Bosma's crusade for prayer in the Indiana Statehouse is a waste of time and disingenuous to the desired role of elected representatives. Worse yet, he has circumvented the court order preventing the prayer he desires because of a technicality. \nRepresentatives should spend their time trying to fix the health care crisis, balance the budget or help bring Hoosiers out of poverty. Whether or not he wants to group-pray before work should be something he takes care of on his personal time outside the realm of his work.\nShould he feel strongly enough about praying with his coworkers, he can do what every other member of large corporations or governmental operations has to do: take care of it outside of work.\nIt is not as if Christians are of a minority religion or persecuted in America. Every president has been like Bosma: a white, Christian male. The Statehouse, like many other institutions of power (including IU), could always do more to enhance the diversity of thought in their organizations. This goes against that goal.
