Head Of Atheist Group Says Obama Shouldn’t Have Publicly Prayed For Shooting Victims

[humblebum]

14. BTW, Congress has a chaplain and has had for a very long time.

Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states: "The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker and other Officers."

"The election of the Rev. William Linn as Chaplain of the House on May 1, 1789, continued the tradition established by the Continental Congresses of each day's proceedings opening with a prayer by a chaplain. The early chaplains alternated duties with their Senate counterparts on a weekly basis. The two conducted Sunday services for the Washington community in the House Chamber every other week.

Since the election of Rev. Linn in 1789, the House has been served by chaplains of various religious denominations, including Baptist (7), Christian (1), Congregationalist (2), Disciples of Christ (1), Episcopalian (4), Lutheran (1), Methodist (16), Presbyterian (15), Roman Catholic (1), Unitarian (2), and Universalist (1).

In addition to opening proceedings with prayer, the Chaplain provides pastoral counseling to the House community, coordinates the scheduling of guest chaplains, and arranges memorial services for the House and its staff. In the past, Chaplains have performed marriage and funeral ceremonies for House members."

So where is it stated that public officials are not allowed to pray - even publicly?

http://chaplain.house.gov/chaplaincy/history.html