That Religious Guy: Lodi Keeps Public Prayers!!

..... Separation of Church and State is needed in society. Surprisingly, I believe in this statement too. But unlike some, I believe in it because I don't see this concept as a protection of the State from the Church, but protecting the Church from the State. Religion isn't always the enemy in the equation. This is to say that faith is sometimes the victim of secular institutions or worst yet, radical atheists.

..... The State shouldn't interfere in matters of religion and the Church shouldn't interfere in secular subjects. In Lodi, a battle ensued over the issue of opening prayers in City Council Meetings. Proponents of the practice declared that it was the right of Christians and indeed any persons of faith to pray. Others, however, believed that praying before these City Council Meetings was a breach of the separation of Church and State. So one side believes prayer is a right and the other side believes it's against the division of two great insitutions.

..... Well, under the logic that praying before public meetings is unconstitutional, then restricting this custom is also unconstitutional since the First Amendment guarantees that every citizen has a right to practice their religion privately and publicly. A solution to this problem would be to stop electing people of faith into public office. That would be impossible.

..... Devout Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, and others can't help the fact that they believe their faith can help them in troubling time such as these. With rising unemployment rates, a budget crisis, and foreclosures, California and indeed the rest of the country could use some divine intervention right now!

..... I applaud the fact that Lodi chose to keep public prayers in their meetings. It was a reasonable reaction. What I don't understand is why atheists from Wisconsin were trying to interefere in Californian affairs. That's right. People from the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Wisconsin were trying to butt heads with citizens in Lodi over their right to pray. I've seen how radical atheists resort to insults to cause injuries. On the West Coast Walk For Life this year, atheists we're just parading around our Pro-Life procession, spreading insults, only because they hate religion, which was evident from their signs. These Wisconsin atheists don't really care about principles. They just hate religion in general. Prove to me otherwise and earn yourself an "I told you so" moment.

..... So Lodi, congrats on your battle for the right to prayer!

- Jeremy Dela Cruz