Ohio Legislature warned to tone down prayers by guest ministers

[Bluebear]

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Guest ministers invited to lead prayers at the Ohio House are violating state guidelines by evangelizing, speaking out on political topics and invoking the name of Jesus, the House clerk’s office said in a memo warning lawmakers.

The issue reached a tipping point during Wednesday’s invocation when the Rev. Keith Hamblen, pastor of Calvary Bible Church in Lima, made multiple references to Jesus, spoke favorably of church-sponsored schools and mentioned the bills up for debate that day, including a proposal to ban nudity in strip clubs after midnight.

That sparked a memo from House Clerk Laura Clemens, asking lawmakers to enforce state guidelines that require guest ministers to submit prepared remarks at least three days in advance for review. The rule had been loosely enforced.

“I would hate to have to eliminate this program but may find it necessary to do so if this trend continues,” Clemens wrote.

http://www.pal-item.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/UPDATES/70518011/1008/NEWS01

[Ghost in the Machine]

1. Tax the churches. Biggest. Scam. Ever! n/t

[originalpckelly]

4. No, just treat them like other organizations. If they do good work...

that can be considered charitable, then let them have tax exempt status. On the other hand, if they don't do a damn thing but preach-for-profit, then tax the bastards.

[Ghost in the Machine]

7. Agreed. I shouldn't have broadbrushed ALL churches.

There are some out there that do some great work in their communities, as well as all over the world. Not all christians are batshit crazy fundies either, I know several who really believe and put their whole life into this faith.

Whatever belief system someone chooses to follow that makes their time on this earth more comfortable, enjoyable, or just plain worth living is fine with me. Just don't be a hippocrite about it, that's all.

Oh, and don't try to shove your religion down my throat(Not *you*, literally. No offense intended). Don't tell me about how this world was created in 7 days, Adam was made from a handful of dirt, Eve was cut out of his rib, Angels and messengers and Jesus flew around the sky with wings on their backs, some guy fit TWO of every animal on earth in a big wooden boat, along with enough food for them all, plus him and his family, etc etc etc.. and I won't tell you how this world was created from beings from another planet that was overcrowded and possibly dying, so they searched the all over looking for another planet suitable for life form, much like our space mission today. Then I won't tell you about how they found this planet suitable, and started bringing plants first, then insects, then animals, then finally humans(?), to see how they would grow and adapt to their new surroundings. The first human(?) species were combinations of clones, test tube babies (or frozen embryos) and life forms from the original planet. They placed these humans all over the planet, in the different regions, and came back often to check on them. Ok, I've revealed enough for now, you know the secrets of the universe. Guard them carefully, my child....

Why was there a billion ants on the shuttle that blew up?? Because they were experimenting with them to see how the grow, change & adapt to new surroundings..

[Erika]

2. Yes, tax them like any other property

They can believe as they wish, but to force their crap down anyone else's throat is too much.

[Divernan]

3. They do that in Pennsylvania too - the "Guest Minister" bit

It is really pathetic - these extremely earnest ministers REALLY believe they're going to have some positive impact on the legislators. The Speaker has to hammer the gavel for quiet, so everyone in the chamber shuts up and gets busy with paperwork until the minister says "in Jesus' name, Amen", at which point everyone picks right up where they left off with their wheeling and dealing.

[patrice]

5. Tax them.

http://www.kansascity.com/115/story/110660.html

[Bozita]

6. One of the bills bans nudity in strip clubs after midnight.. Club morphs into a Denny's?

I think governments should establish and enforce "prayer zones" patterned after the infamous "1st Amendment Zones."

[Bluebear]

10. 'Club morphs into a Denny's?'

hehehe

[xchrom]

8. i'm a church goer -- and i believe in taxing them.

churches are not going to retreat from the political arena for the foreseeable future -- tax them.

[malaise]

9. I agree 100% n/t