(DOWNLOAD) "Prayer in the Legislature: Tradition Meets Secularization (Survey)" by Canadian Parliamentary Review # eBook PDF Kindle ePub Free
eBook details
- Title: Prayer in the Legislature: Tradition Meets Secularization (Survey)
- Author : Canadian Parliamentary Review
- Release Date : January 22, 2009
- Genre: Law,Books,Professional & Technical,
- Pages : * pages
- Size : 259 KB
Description
Since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century, each House of Parliament at Westminster has traditionally opened its sittings with a prayer. British colonies around the world imitated the practice in keeping with their parliamentary origins. Eventually, the various colonies became sovereign nations and developed their own prayers reflecting their history, identity and, of course, their noble aspirations. This paper looks at three options that have emerged so far to address the challenge of contemporary State neutrality. First maintain the status quo. Second seek greater openness and make the prayer more universal by alternating between prayers of various religions or having a moment of silence and reflection. Third, eliminate the practice from public institutions in the name of separation of Church and State. Arguments for each option are explored in order to better understand a subject that, while it may seem antiquated, never ceases to arouse passionate debate. **********