Forced public prayer: Kennedy Center official's new request led to 'audible gasp' from staff

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26. Forced prayer has always been with us but we don't have to succumb

I'm an atheist and I'm not shy about admitting it. I don't force my belief on others but I refused to be forced or intimidated into praying simple because someone in authority says "Let us pray." I served in the AF and when at functions where there was a benediction, the person delivering the benediction, usually a Chaplin, would say "Let us bow our heads pray" I wouldn't but I'd sit silently until it was over. I had some people notice my not taking part and asked me why and I told them I'm an atheist and I don't pray to any God. Never got into trouble for it. One thing I didn't like during the pray was in almost every pray would end in something like "In Jesus Christ's name, amen." My problem was there were members of the Jewish, Muslim, and other faiths for whom invoking Christ's name wasn't appropriated.