Virginia House OKs Proposed Amendments On Prayer and Funding for Military Chaplains

The Virginia House of Representatives yesterday passed two proposed state constitutional amendments dealing with religion.  HJ 593, which passed the House by a vote of 61-33 (with one abstention), would bar state infringement of "the people's right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including public schools..."  HJ 614, passed by a vote of  62-32 (with one abstention), would allow the state legislature to provide for loans and grants to students attending theological schools and seminaries in Virginia if the student is an approved candidate for the chaplaincy in any branch of the armed services (including the National Guard). NENC reporting on the bills says that they "face a more critical reception in the Senate, where similar measures routinely die."