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THE QUESTION
Obama Inauguration
Should the presidential inauguration ceremony include prayers by clergy? Should President-elect Obama say "so help me God" at the end of his oath of office? Should Chief Justice John Roberts ask him to?
Posted by
Sally Quinn and Jon Meacham on January 13, 2009 4:39 AM
FROM THE PANEL
A Very Presidential Beginning
President Barack Obama's inaugural address was a solid, inspiring message for the time and season that we are experiencing.
Posted by Lyle Dukes, on January 23, 2009 7:10 AM
Inauguration of a New Spirituality
It's not good enough that he becomes the first African-American President, the first green President, or the first digital President. Nothing less than spiritual renewal is needed across the board, and there is no one of equal stature to lead it.
Posted by Deepak Chopra, on January 21, 2009 5:55 AM
Obama Should Seek Divine Blessings the Way He Sees Fit
The religious aspects of the inaugural celebration not only do not offend the Establishment Clause, but arguably serve the President-elect's rights under the First Amendment's Free Exercise Clause.
Posted by J. Brent Walker, on January 20, 2009 10:30 AM
We Need a New Etiquette for Prayer in Public
We've entered a moment in our cultural and national history where we need to have a conversation about the etiquette of religion in public.
Posted by William Tully, on January 20, 2009 8:18 AM
Keep the Inauguration a 'Proper Ceremony'
Asking a clergyman to say a prayer is not the same thing as establishing a particular religion over others
Posted by Charles "Chuck" Colson, on January 20, 2009 4:13 AM
Pray in the Spirit (Not the Name) of Jesus
In a public prayer outside a Christian institution, I think Christian ministers can and should pray to God without bringing in Jesus. This does not deny Jesus. It simply invites everyone in our pluralistic society to join our prayer to the fullest extent that they can. Would Jesus mind? I don't think so.
Posted by Thomas J. Reese, S.J., on January 19, 2009 10:14 AM
So Help Me Allah
The demographics of Congress suggest that someday, America will have a non-Christian President. When that day comes, I hope that they feel free to celebrate as they see fit and to pledge their service to the country as they feel best honors the tradition of the Presidency.
Posted by Jim Wallis, on January 19, 2009 9:22 AM
Inaugural Prayers Fit America as a Civilization
A presidential inauguration combines ceremonial (actions) with ritual (words). Obama should submit to both, including "so help me God".
Posted by Willis E. Elliott, on January 19, 2009 7:06 AM
In God We Trust
Mr. Obama soon will be my president. As head of government, I will pray for him daily and honor him. When he acts as head of his party, I will act as the loyal opposition. Like all Americans, I am delighted that Mr. Obama is acknowledging the religious traditions and roots of our nation.
Posted by John Mark Reynolds, on January 19, 2009 4:42 AM
A Transitional and Transcendent Moment
A prayer that is broad enough to include all Americans and that forces all into the recognition that each of us is but a small part of the world's population is certainly appropriate. To be appropriate to all, however, is to be compromising to no one.
Posted by John Shelby Spong, on January 16, 2009 2:58 PM
Multiple Prayers at the Inauguration
Government should avoid bringing religion into official business. If the President-to-be-sworn-in wants to acknowledge his personal feelings about the roll of God in the election and his upcoming presidency, then he can offer prayers before he goes to the event, or host a private religious service.
Posted by Pamela K. Taylor, on January 16, 2009 1:14 PM
The Option to Pray is Sacred
Could we all agree that having the option to pray at the inauguration or of ending the oath of office with the words "so help me God" is what is truly sacred? Isn't that kind of choice, especially in matters of faith, what this nation is built on?
Posted by Brad Hirschfield, on January 16, 2009 12:53 PM
God Help Us If Obama Doesn't Invoke God's Name
Some have argued that to say "so help me God" in the inauguration would be equal to disrespecting those in this country who do not believe in God. Well, by the same argument, to not say that phrase would disrespect those who do believe in God.
Posted by Susan K. Smith, on January 16, 2009 11:28 AM
Oath to God Shows Regard for Church and State
The secular nature of the American government is one of its abiding strengths, but moments of prayer or a "So help me, God" here and there are no threat to the wall of separation.
Posted by Jon Meacham, on January 14, 2009 4:45 PM
Oath to God Shows Contempt for Non-Believers
By choosing to be part of a ceremony which includes religious expression we are essentially eliminating and disenfranchising a large number of American who are either not Christian or not believers.
Posted by Sally Quinn, on January 14, 2009 3:57 PM
Inaugural Prayers: As American (And Extra-Constitutional) As Cherry Pie
Let us hope that our new president and our legislators, in spite of their bowed heads on Inauguration Day, realize that they, and not God, are responsible for getting us out of the economic and foreign policy mess that the previous president got us into on the advice of a "Higher Power."
Posted by Susan Jacoby, on January 13, 2009 1:44 PM
Invocations To God For Us
Invocation to God should occur in public political events in order for prophetic religion to be given opportunity to teach that God judges nations as well as individuals.
Posted by Gardner Calvin Taylor, on January 13, 2009 11:54 AM
True Faith Not An Empty Ritual
The real danger with inaugural prayers, in my judgment, is that the faith is diminished by what many Americans see as an empty and perfunctory ritual.
Posted by Randall Balmer, on January 13, 2009 11:46 AM
Let Each President Decide
Leave the oath as it was written by the Founders and allow the one taking it to add whatever fealty he might sincerely have for the Almighty, which is what George Washington did.
Posted by Cal Thomas, on January 13, 2009 11:44 AM
FEATURED COMMENTS
practica1: This believer is tired of the way we tie a little god onto every public forum. Why are we concerned about which sacred scripture is used fo...
dwilliams2: I hope Obama says "under God." Not only is it an expression of a certain kind of humility, it means he doesn't think the visible world is th...
mickster1: No he should not. Especially the practice of saying "god bless america" everytime a politician opens his/her mouth should be curtailed. We s...
