Prayer Returned to the Indiana House of Representatives
Rep. Bosma Responds to 7th Circuit Court Ruling
Court Rules in Favor of Free Speech
(STATEHOUSE) Oct. 30, 2007 – Today, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed the ACLU lawsuit against the Speaker of the House regarding prayer in the Indiana House of Representatives. The District Court ruling was a landmark decision marking the first time a federal court had attempted to dictate the specific content of prayer in a state or federal legislative body.
House Republican Leader Brian Bosma, who was Speaker of the House when the lawsuit was filed, said, “I am elated that the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has protected individual freedom by dismissing the District Court’s order to censor prayer in the Indiana House. There is no more fundamental freedom than the right of individuals to offer thoughtful speech, uncensored by the federal government, before our elected bodies, and the Court of Appeals ruling guarantees this right for future generations.”
For almost 190 years, it has been the tradition of the Indiana House to allow clerics from many faiths to offer prayer before the House begins its business for the day. This is a tradition followed by Congress for over 200 years. The freedom of individual clerics to offer prayer freely and in accordance with their own conscience and beliefs has been protected for generations as a free expression of speech and religious beliefs. The District Court ignored this tradition and sought to require the Speaker of the House to censor prayers, specifically prohibiting Christian references.
The Court of Appeals returned the case to the District Court with instructions to dismiss for want of jurisdiction.
“I urge Speaker Bauer to return the House to its 188-year tradition of free and open prayer, and to do so immediately,” continued Rep. Bosma.
Indiana Voice for the Family
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