IN Suit Challenges Sectarian Legislative Opening Prayers

The Indiana Civil Liberties Union yesterday filed suit in federal district court to stop the Indiana House of Representatives from opening its sessions with sectarian or proselytizing prayers. According to a report in today's Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette, invited clergy often emphasize Jesus in their invocations. In one session, the invited minister led the chamber in the singing of "Just a Little Talk With Jesus". Members clapped, sang along, and gave the minister a standing ovation. The law suit does not seek to totally stop opening prayers in the legislative chamber, but asks that they be delivered in a non-sectarian manner. The press release by the ICLU announcing the suit states that it is brought on behalf of a retired Methodist minister, a lobbyist for a statewide Quaker group and two Roman Catholic citizens.