Prayers Banned

[jomifl]

An atheist group has won a test case banning prayers before local council meetings, is this an infringement of human rights or a victory for human rights?

[beso]

sith123 // i think it is wrong, how is this affecting atheists? //

As pointed out by man yit is a waste of time.

And immediately prior to your post I posted:

"Prayer as part of the meeting provides an air of legitimacy to the practice of what is essentially a form of witchcraft."

[anotheoldgit]

At least prayers are not to be banned in the House of Commons.

http://www.dailymail....ayer-ban-Commons.html

/// Conservative Mark Pritchard, said: ‘This is more evidence of rising Christianophobia. ///

/// Fundamentalist atheists are zealots in seeking to untie the Judeo-Christian cords that have bound this nation together for centuries. ///

[RATTER15]

>>At least prayers are not to be banned in the House of Commons.<<

They havent been banned from Council Offices either, they have just been banned from holding prayers during time allocated for council meetings!

/// Fundamentalist atheists are zealots in seeking to untie the Judeo-Christian cords that have bound this nation together for centuries. ///

Ideally that would be great!! our nation does not need to be bound by anything but the truth, goodbye to silly fairy tales and absolute lies, and welcome the truth!!

[albaqwerty]

Prayers should not be on the agenda and Council time should be used for Council matters.

[RATTER15]

Alba, it appears that some people are struggling to get to grips with the idea, they are too hung up on the Atheist angle I think, its actually not an Atheist issue at all.

[albaqwerty]

I agree with you Ratter. It is not an Atheist issue. I think it was only highlighted as an atheiest councillor brought it up and the Secular lot (excuse me) supported him.

[RATTER15]

^^^ agreed.

[humbersloop]

^^ heartily agree with alba and ratter here.

Thanks for the link AOG. Which to me seems to show that, in a mature western liberal democracy - the Mother of Parliaments even-my elected representative has to turn up to Prayers to reserve a seat to discuss legislative matters. Like tax, war, education and the health service.

What do they have to do to get a parking space?

[anotheoldgit]

Just shows how hypocritical the 'anti prayers' lot are.

They are prepared to show up for prayers just so as to reserve a seat, what is wrong with them standing?

There's plenty who do during PMQs.

[RATTER15]

AOG, it just goes to prove me wrong, prayers do have a purpose, prayers may get you a seat or a parking place!!

cant knock that now can you!! :))

[naomi24]

//They are prepared to show up for prayers just so as to reserve a seat//

Is there a better reason to turn up for prayers?

[sandyRoe]

If it were to reserve a seat at the feet of our Heavenly Father in Heaven, MPs would be fighting to get in. (To the chamber, not Heaven, I mean)

[naomi24]

Sandy, What self-respecting person would want to sit at anyone's feet?

[sandyRoe]

A chiropodist?

[naomi24]

Ha ha! Very good. :o)

[Old_Geezer]

Seems to me that believers should be allowed to pray if they wish but presumably before the start of the meeting since it is not reasonable to expect non-believers to pray with them, or have to hang around waiting for prayers to finish. Are these matters really so difficult to come to a sensible conclusion on ?

[sandyRoe]

'Sensible' is the iceberg that would sink many a story before it ever got into full sail.

[RATTER15]

>>Are these matters really so difficult to come to a sensible conclusion on ?<< If people were sensible there would be no reason to pray in the first place!!

[humbersloop]

Perversely Ratter, they may be, in the way of things.

For debate purposes, you don't get recognised by the Speaker unless you're actually seated in the Commons. Hence the whole Prayer business in relation to the role of the Monarch and the Established Church of England. Anyone else is just standing at the Bar: might as well be selling the Big Issue outside.

What I have found extraordinary though is the role of the Lords - let's not even go there - in putting up any kind of opposition to the Health Bill's worst excesses. And it's been the Lords Spiritual who've been foremost amongst the awkward squad.

Not that that makes any of it right, it's just a funny old world.

Loved the chiropody exchange though ^^

[DTCwordfan]

Sorry to Fosters on the party here but, as I understand it, prayers are taken before the formal agenda in the HoC, then the Speaker calls the heathens to their seats and the formal agenda starts (with the count for the attendance and, no doubt, the gold seam of expenses).