During this session, Rep. Grange received a letter from a constituent regarding a prayer offered in the Kansas House. The first thing you see is John's response. The letter below is from the constituent. Her name has been omitted for privacy reasons
Thanks for your comments, now for the rest of the story.
I represent a District that has over 40 ministers, priests, reverend,
and some untitled leaders of religious groups. As their representative
I
have the opportunity to ask one to be a guest chaplain and as such lead
us in prayer at the beginning of our daily session. I invited the
entire
group and was hopeful one would be able to accept my offer. I was able
to accommodate two from my district neither of which I had ever met
before.
I was raised a Catholic and still practice that faith today. My priest
was unable to attend so I was able to offer the opening to Rev. Edds.
As far as I know all state legislations, the US congress, Supreme
Court, just to name a few all begin their official meetings with a
prayer. I personally begin and end my day that way.
It is normal procedure for the clerk of the house to contact these
individuals on our behalf and give them a copy of a previous prayer and
some guidelines as to the procedures they follow in presenting their
prayer. I have not heard of anyone having a prayer presented for
censorship. I would never ask to see one, but if offered the
opportunity
I certainly would read it, but my main concern would be towards brevity
and not content.
The day the prayer was presented was the first day I had met Rev. Edds.
his wife, and foster son. I found him to be a very sincere and honest
individual, and I confess he did not offer the prayer for my scrutiny
nor did I ask to read it. He did ask if he had a time limit and would
it
be permissible to offer some comments on the word "Tolerance". I
assured
him he had limited time, he could proceed, but to be succint.
Following his lengthy prayer I received no fewer than 10 calls or
visits from fellow Representatives saying that he had presented the
best
prayer they had ever heard in the house.
The following Monday I started receiving comments from others and still
have only heard from three opponents, you are number 3.
We do live in a free society and I make no apology for his actions or
his prayers. I just wanted to clarify my position on this to you.
The issue of seperation of Church and State has nothing to do with
this. The first amendment of the constitution specifically 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 peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of greivances.
September 25th 1789, First Congress of the United States
Thanks again for your comments, I always appreciate hearing from the
voters. Your representative is most likely Rep Lance Kinzer. He is a
great fellow and I share an office with him.
Rep. Grange
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Dear Representative Grange,
What were you thinking? Obviously you weren't. Our great state of
Kansas was founded on the principles of the Constitution and one of the
most important is the separation of church and state. Why would you
have your minister come into our state house and pray period? The
practice of having prayer there is flawed because you can't pray and
not
offend someone. As a republican and christian and educator I am
mortified that your minister was invited and then gave a polititcal
statement about all three and offended all three in the name of God.
You should be ashamed of yourself! That's the problem with the
republicans right now - you have hijacked our party and our philosophy
and tlhink that because you are the majority you can do or say whatever
you please. Well you can't. Please know that not everyone thinks or
believes like you. Your duty is to ALL the people of Kansas, not just
Christian, anti-education, republicans like yourself. My Kansas
ancestors would roll over in their graves.
Signed,
Name Omitted for Privacy Reasons
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