Community Corner

Public Prayer: Should Missouri Voters OK This Measure?

Missourians will vote Aug. 7 on a constitutional amendment affirming the right to pray in public places.

Gov. Jay Nixon announced that voters will decide on Aug. 7 on a constitutional amendment affirming the right to pray in public places.

The summary of the measure on the Missouri House of Representatives website says it "proposes a constitutional amendment guaranteeing a citizen's right to pray and worship on public property and reaffirming a citizen's right to choose any or no religion."

In its summary of the story, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported on its Political Fix blog that the timing has interesting political ramifications.

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As reporter Virginia Young wrote:

The measure is likely to draw social conservatives to the polls. So from a political standpoint, it stands to reason that Nixon, a Democrat, would want to get it out of the way in August, when parties are choosing their nominees, rather than in the general election pitting Democrats against Republicans.

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The measure's sponsor, Rep. Mike McGhee (R-Dist. 122), said some "school children are being targeted for professing their religious beliefs."

The language of the ballot measure will read as follows: "Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to ensure: That the right of Missouri citizens to express their religious beliefs shall not be infringed; that school children have the right to pray and acknowledge God voluntarily in their schools; and that all public schools shall display the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution."

Does Missouri need a measure like this? Do you think there were political motivations behind the timing of the vote, by eliminating a reason for conservatives to show up in the general election? How would you vote on such a measure?


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