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Cal Thomas

Syndicated political columnist

Syndicated political columnist and “On Faith” panelist Cal Thomas has a twice-weekly column that appears in over 500 newspapers around the world. A graduate of American University, Thomas is a veteran of broadcast and print journalism. He has worked for NBC, CNBC, PBS television, and the Fox News Channel where he currently appears on the weekly media critique show, “Fox News Watch.” Thomas has authored ten books, including Blinded by Might: Can the Religious Right Save America?, A Freedom Dream, Public Persons and Private Lives, Book Burning, Liberals for Lunch, Occupied Territory, The Death of Ethics in America, Uncommon Sense and Things That Matter Most. His latest was The Wit and Wisdom of Cal Thomas. In 1995, Thomas was honored with a Cable Ace Award nomination for Best Interview Program. Other awards include a George Foster Peabody team reporting award, and awards from both the Associated Press and United Press International. Common Ground, which Thomas writes for USA Today, offers insightful discussion of contentious social issues with his friend and political counterpart, Bob Beckel. The two are working together on a book to be published in 2007. Close.

Cal Thomas

Syndicated political columnist

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Protecting the Freedom to Pray, or Not to Pray

The free expression of faith does not end where the military begins, but free expression is different from coercion. When a prayer becomes mandatory, it not only violates the rights of others who might pray differently, or not at all, it also violates the essence of prayer. It is like forcing one to speak to his mother-in-law when he doesn't want to (and for the record I always loved speaking to MY mother-in-law!),

Prayer is, or ought to be, a deeply personal conversation with God. Forcing everyone to pray is something quite different. A moment of silence during which people who wish to pray may do so seems a reasonable compromise that respects the rights of everyone, including the right of God to hear only from those interested in speaking to Him.

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Posted by Cal Thomas on July 23, 2008 9:07 AM

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What Islam Really Says About Violence, Rights and Other Religions

Gomaa, Fadlallah, Mubarak, Khan, Siddiqi, Ellison, others | On Faith

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