Do Democratic meetings and events begin with a prayer?

[duhneece]

I had a New Democrat to lunch and she was adamant that she was opposed to starting monthly meetings and events with a prayer.
I’ve only been to local and state Democratic functions in New Mexico and they all begin with a prayer.
Now I’m questioning if we’re that unusual.

[Ocelot II]

1. AFAIK it depends on the particular group, no requirement.

I don't care for them either.

[snowybirdie]

2. Don't know

But I wouldn't want a prayer at a political meeting. That old separation of Church and State thing ya know.

[Rebl2]

9. Just

what I was going to say. I don’t want politics in my religion or religion in my politics.

[bluedigger]

3. I stopped attending when the naked dancing around the bonfire ended.

And there was much rejoicing.

[Wifes husband]

16. I agree. The naked dancing was the reason I showed up

Actually, if someone wants to give a prayer, it is ok with me. The long winded ones are not good, but live and let live

[MineralMan]

4. It varies from place to place and organization to organization.

It's certainly not required by any Democratic Party rules, though. Most people just shrug and ignore such activities and get down to business once the prayers are over. Generally, a majority of attendees to anything consider themselves to be Christians. So, it's not surprising that they engage in opening prayers. Most atheists, like me, just ignore it and move on. So do most followers of other religions.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. I'd be pretty pissed if I went to a political meeting and it started with a prayer.

It's not church. I don't believe in a deity.

I would not object to a moment of silence for those who do believe to pray.

[womanofthehills]

8. I wouldn't care if it started with a prayer

I don’t have to react personally to anything. If it makes Christians feel good and they join the party -I’m good.

Out here in rural NM people are more religious.

[Trueblue Texan]

12. I suspect that like me, most here have no problem with religion...

...but I DO have a problem with a single religion (typically Christianity) being the preferred religion that is selected by a few to satisfy all. It doesn't, and that's why it's not appropriate for a handful people to promote it in diverse groups such as the Democratic Party. And yes, leading a Christian prayer in such a group IS promoting the Christian faith.

[Happy Hoosier]

13. Good for you. I do care.

I am tired of people assuming their personal religious beliefs require constant placating.

I do not object to people believeing. I do object to them making their beliefs part of a completely secular event.

[UpInArms]

6. Depends upon the group

How it is formed, if it has bylaws that show the meeting agenda to open with the pledge and a benediction…

If it is just a casual group, and not a formal one, probably just the choice of whoever is running it

[MayReasonRule]

7. Supplications To Genocidal Magic Sky Fairies Are The Antethisis Of Reasoned Governance

Our nation's long and sordid history of enshrining delusional religious malevolence as the rule of law has brought us to today where we're in the midst of an Americanized Spanish Inquisition Y'all Qaeda Nazi Style with SCOTUS as Grand Inquisitors.

Fuck that.

Freedom is Reason's child.

May reason rule!

[duhneece]

10. Thank you all for your replies

I had never thought about it.
I don’t know what, if anything, I’ll do about it but I love DU’s answering questions like this.

[Trueblue Texan]

11. Our meetings do not begin with a prayer.

I also recently attended an event at the capital hosted by the Texas Democratic Party and it also was not opened with a prayer--not even at lunch time. There are diverse religions represented in the party, including Atheists. People can pray as they like, but the party shouldn't choose which path represents the whole.

[Xavier Breath]

14. I'm 100% with your lunchmate.

Go be every bit as religious as you want, but please do it on your time, not mine.

[RedWhiteBlueIsRacist]

15. Prayers could be held after the meeting is adjourned, so the non-religious don't have to to suffer

through the ritual.