In briefs submitted to the Supreme Court this week the Obama administration and Republican legislators urge the court to ease laws that limit prayers from being recited at the opening of government meetings, according to the Los Angeles Times.
In what is an increasingly rare occurrence the Obama administration and conservatives agree that the court should revisit how the First Amendment's ban on "establishment of religion" applies to public prayer. A federal appellate court settled in favor of two residents, one Jewish and one atheist, who opposed the town council of Greece, N.Y., opening every meeting with a Christian prayer, according to the Los Angeles Times.
This fall the Supreme Court has agreed to hear an appeal by the town. The prior ruling stated that when the town council opened their meetings with a Christian prayer that it "must be viewed as an endorsement of...a Christian viewpoint," reports the Los Angeles Times.
The idea that the government is not allowed to endorse a religion stems from a Supreme Court opinion written by former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. One problem with that ruling is the vagueness that comes from the word "endorse," it's open to interpretation from each individual. This has led to wildly different opinions in cases involving religion from the lower courts, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Obama administration and conservative members of Congress' briefs are joined by briefs from 23 states also advocating for allowing Christian prayers before meetings, according to the Charlotte Observer.
In an opinion piece written for the Christian Post Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., argued that towns like Greece, N.Y., should be able to open their meetings with a prayer.
"We are not just taking a stand for one town under assault by those who wish to eliminate religion from our public life," Rubio said. "We are also taking a stand for a tradition of legislative prayer that was adopted at our founding, has helped unite our nation for over two centuries, and serves as a daily reminder of all the blessing that God has bestowed on our exceptional nation."
Rev. Barry Lynn, the executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, was involved in the case in Greece and was disheartened by the Obama administration's brief to the court.
"This is a big deal of a case because of what it could mean," Lynn told the Los Angeles Times. "It makes the administration's position doubly disappointing. A town council meeting is not like a church service, and it shouldn't be treated like it is."
Read more: Supreme Court to Hear Public Prayer Case
