Repet answer - as an individual, no. What Daniel did was as an individual. Do as you wish as an individual that is your right. There may be times when a prayer should not be voiced audibly, but not exactly a way to stop an inaudible prayer now is there. What is being discontinued by the the Longview council is government sponsored prayer.
"Individuals" are the only ones that God has given vocal chords to sing His praises. Pastors are individuals, too. By your words you have deemed it to be acceptable for a pastor to be muzzled and only pray in silence in a public assembly of people.
LONGVIEW (AP) — Ministers should refrain from invoking Jesus Christ in invocations for City Council meetings, Longview Mayor Don Jensen said.
Students are individuals, too. Last May, in our area, prayer by an individual student was banned from high school graduation exercises. This student held no elected office. There is a place on this earth where this student, and any other individual, cannot lift his/her voice to our Lord.
What it seems that you either fail to realize or have decided it is wrong is that the Constitution permits all "individuals" the freedom to pray, in the public square, as they wish.
Bill of Rights Article 1:
Congress shall
make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances
In accordance with the Bill of Rights, Longview cannot prohibit a pastor from the free exercise of his faith through his freedom of speech in a peaceful assembly of people. Just as Longview cannot pass a law stating that the only religion that can be practiced, within their scope of influence, is Hindu.
A public prayer offered by an "individual" (regardless of their occupation, role in government, or any other stipulation) is not passing a LAW.
In the United States of America, how can any born again believer support a LAW that bans SPEAKING aloud the name of our Saviour while in prayer in a public place? Daniel put on his full armour of God. Shouldn't we all do the same?
Ephesians 6: KJB
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
In closing, how much longer do we have left before a pastor cannot read from the Bible to his congregation on Sunday morning? Think about it, please. When a pastor cannot speak the name of our Saviour, how much longer will it be before he cannot utter "hate speech" to a peaceful assembly?
raying:
