Council Discusses Prayer Before Meetings
By
KGNS News
Story Created:
Sep 6, 2011 at 10:01 PM CDT
Story Updated:
Sep 6, 2011
Prayer in our schools and government has been a hot topic for many years. Now a Laredo city councilman wants to bring prayer back to city council meetings. Our Ryan Bailey spoke to him and has more in our top story tonight at ten.
Prayer in the government and schools is considered to be a taboo topic now, but city councilman Charlie San Miguel is looking to change that. Many we spoke to think it's a good idea.
"I think they should. There's nothing bad about praying and I think it will make it a better world or place."
"There's so many people that respect that in our schools and in public places so why not in our government?"
The idea came to San Miguel after seeing the state of Texas begin each day with a prayer.
"They rotate state reps or state senators and they introduce a clergy from their district and then they have a prayer."
Things become touchy because of the separation of church and state in our government.
"I believe in separation of church and state. It's not a bad thing but that's not what our government was founded on."
San Miguel wants to make sure that the city would not be stepping on toes but if they follow the state on other matters, why not this one?
"We're not dictating to anyone how they can worship. Everyone's free to worship however they can.”
"This is a free country, you have the freedom to go to whatever religion it is that you think is the right one."
"To let it become part of the community it would be nice to know they can do that."
Ryan Bailey, Laredo's pro 8 news.
The city council discussed this topic tonight and decided to have staffers look into how it is handled at the state level. They will revisit this issue once staff has presented their findings with the council.
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To San Miguel said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 12:07 AM
Why do you want to violate the constitution? If you want to pray, go to your church. Do not try to impose your foreing ideas in Laredo, If the Anglos in Austin want to pray, let them pray. Next time ..are you going to bring the inquisition?? I will vote against you next time, IT IS ANTI-CONSTITUTIONAL !! You dumb Mexican.
73473384ACE said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 8:12 AM
REALLY....REALLY... THIS WAS YESTERDAY TOP STORY ON PRO8NEWS, SO THE PRYING THING MADE BETTER NEWS THEN BUSTING A 5000 LBS LOAD OF MARIJUANA, BUT I REALLY THING THAT A EL CENIZO GARBAGE NOT BEING PICKED UP WILL TOP ANYTHING.. THEY SHOULD JUST CLOSE DWN PRO8NEWS AND STAY WITH OUR CRAPPING NEWSPAPAER
73482171X-Laredo Onda said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 8:26 AM
The rape and prostitution of the Untied States Constitution has been going since its inception. Originally, it was designed as a guide to keep this young country from having to endure the true hardships which this country's forefathers endured pre-USA. I have heard of un-constitutional never heard of anti-constitutional. Clearly a by-product of a Laredo education. In response to the heathen, prayer is not just for church. This was Isaac Nitwit’s attempt to be clever and demonstrate his “anti-constitutional” rights. In God (and only in Him) We Trust. It is time we bring prayer back in schools, civic events, wherever; it is always a good thing.
73483039X-Laredo Onda said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 8:28 AM
THE REST OF THE STORY: These so called “anti-constitutional” atrocities have been committed against and forced down the throats of the greater United States to acknowledge the fragile sensibilities of a few morons and then trumpeted by the not so Supreme Court of the United States which does not represent nor protect the greater good. We need God. We have always needed Him and we need Him now more than ever. You want to talk about sacrifice, read John 3:16. “Forgive them Father, for they know not what they are doing”…..
73483108un Patron no pAtronA said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 9:03 AM
The U.S.in general have taken out GOD from the goverment, schools, work, ect for the past 10 yrs or so.In that way God has removed the protection,abundance, power, and his love for the people that reject him...
73485042Salma said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 9:06 AM
Whats wrong with a little prayer??? Jesus, nowadays people see religion as a threat...let them pray in their own way, im sure there are christians, catholics, baptists...let them all have their own personal pray
73485247Anonymous said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 9:31 AM
I don't think I have to bring God into everybody's personal life while at a meeting in a congressional area. I certainly wouldn't appreciate if I were in another area where the majority were Satanic ritual, and they would display their prayer within strength of numbers. It would render me powerless, let alone it is unconstitutional. Now, as for our constitution being wrongfully used unfortunately our founding fathers meant for it to be served by justice, but as a species a lot of us look to do our own agenda which is to usually succeed at whatever cost. Though, that being besides the point, if you feel you need some personal allotment I would recommend to keep it unbiast and allow a few moments of peace within our individual terms.
73486527Religion in government ?? said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 10:58 AM
NEVER !!! Separation of church and government is imperative. Respect the constitution and The United States of America. If you want religion.. move to a country with an official state religion like the The Vatican, England, Iran or Saudi Arabia.
73490956Boorish said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 11:12 AM
The people we have working for us are ignorant.
73491537X-Laredo Onda said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 11:16 AM
As for the term "Separation of Church and State", it does not appear in the US Constitution. Wikipedia has a lengthy definition of the aforementioned. The term as noted by it author Thomas Jefferson referred to not allowing this country to be under one church, thus the freedom of religion. It was much later that the US Supreme Court made foolish decisions based on the needs of a few and not that of the greater good
73491758Do you want to pray ?? said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 11:27 AM
Praying is a personal free choice. You do not have to bring it wherever you go just to show that you are a hypocrite christian. pray privately in your house or in your church not on the streets or in any government public/citizen meeting paid with our taxes.
73492346how about if I am not a christian ?? said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 12:01 PM
How about if I am not a christian?? I am sure San Miguel had christianity in mind. But I am a US Citizen who went to war to fight for this country and all the people and all religions allowed in this country? and fought and sacrificed everything in my life to protect the United States and its constitution, specially the first amendment: "CONGRESS SHALL MAKE NO LAW RESPECTING AN ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION, OR PROHIBITING THE FREE EXERCISE THEREOF; OR ABRIDGING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH, OR OF THE PRESS; OR THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO ASSEMBLE AND TO PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR A REDRESS OF GRIVANCES" This is the separation of church and state.
73494428X-Laredo Onda said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 12:09 PM
You are correct!!! Praying is a free personal choice for me and all who seek Him. This includes public places, as are churches. I may not have to bring it but why can’t I?? Fear you might be offended? Oh, but look; you tone suggest that of giving an order. Now you are violating MY RIGHTS!!! As for the hypocrite thing; aren’t we all in some form or fashion??? I do know this; we are all sinners and fall short of His glory. And guess what??? We (hypocrite Christians) pay taxes too.
73494868it is annoying said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 12:22 PM
Being in a room or a public place (with the exemption of a church) with people praying is as annoying as a person smoking next to you. and I have the right to "not hear prayers".
73495658What a stupid idea said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 12:51 PM
This guy San Miguel needs to read a little about our constitution. and why all the laws in America are based on this document and not the bible. San Miguel, this is your first term and your last, I am going to be working against you using my propaganda. You are not my councilman anymore.
73497322X-Laredo Onda said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 2:59 PM
Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his god, declared that their legislature should make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and state. Thomas Jefferson:1802
73503677Anonymous said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 3:33 PM
This is a waste of minutes for the city council meeting in my opinion. There are far more important things to talk about.
73505518Viewer said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 3:47 PM
This is why the Country is in a real bad shape, ever since we stopped beleiving in God and not praying, everything seems to be falling apart, our morals are beleifs have gone down the drain!!!!
73506333Bad parenting said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 10:27 PM
All those calamities happen because we have tons of bad parents that behave worst than their kids, drugs, early pregnancy, lack of responsability, husband-wife cheating, free abortion, you name it.. we have everything. praying is not going to help. point the finger to the real problem. Lack Education to be a real father and a real mother. We need an obligatory education for parents enforced with jail.
73522047Bad parenting said on Wednesday, Sep 7 at 10:34 PM
Lack of education...(excuse me)
73522243Sopas!!!!!! said on Thursday, Sep 8 at 1:54 AM
There is no god just Zuul.
73526406Anonymous said on Thursday, Sep 8 at 8:48 AM
Praying will not change this world, nor will God. He will not just pop up one day and wave his magic wand and make all this evil go away. I am sure it saddens him to see his children and how they turned out. So go on and pray if it makes you feel better, but it's not gonna change anything.
73536603X-Laredo Onda said on Thursday, Sep 8 at 11:57 AM
Read the book of Revelations in the Bible. He may not be toting a magic wand but,,,,,,,,,,He will be back.
73546748Antoine said on Thursday, Sep 8 at 3:33 PM
Frankly, I think its a bad idea to pray in general. I don't want christianity promoted in my government that's why if you want to pray to some profitable being in the sky go ahead, but frankly I think government and relgion should always be seperate. If you want to pray go pray at your house of worship leave anyone who doesn't believe in christianity or god alone, also don't let political decisions be made that are influenced by any type of religious message behind it or elect people who promote ridiculious ideas such as beliefs in creationism or lack of science.
73558993need information said on Thursday, Sep 8 at 5:26 PM
Does anybody knows how much money and benefits the councilmen make ??
73564086X-Laredo Onda said on Friday, Sep 9 at 7:26 AM
Well,,,,there you go!!!! Thats what you get for THINKING...
73584417Forgive me if I'm wrong said on Friday, Sep 9 at 9:40 PM
The reason for this country falling apart is because "prayer" is unconstituional in a lot of places. It's the foundation to everything. For those individuals that might have been offended because things might not have been going their way recently, and are against "prayer", refer to it "meditation" or "daily wishes" before the actual meeting.
73621619falling apart ?? said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 2:54 AM
The United States is not falling apart, the stupidity of some polititians past and present are the ones that have this country the way it is, specially when they tried to mix religion with politics, "God told me to start two wars" without thinking how the U. S. will pay for those wars. 10 years later.. the country is almost bankrupt. Thank you Republicans.
73627404The U. S. is not IRAN said on Saturday, Sep 10 at 12:34 PM
Some people want to set up a US government like Iran in which all government decisions are based on the koran. Here some people want to run our government with the bible. This crazy people are ruining our American life. When people hear voices and think God is talking to them...that is a serious case of crazy people.
73638968Anonymous said on Monday, Sep 12 at 6:41 PM
So what prayer do we make a Calvinist one? (Those who believe once saved always saved) or Arminian (Those who believe you can loose your salvation)? Catholics believe that "good works" will "save you" and Protestants believe that "belief in Christ" will save you. Another point would be "water baptism". Catholics baptise at birth, while MOST protestants baptise when we are old enough to understand, yet there are Protestants like the Quakers and Salvation Army that DO NOT baptise via water, since it is a symbolic act and not "required". Then you have cultist type Protestants and Adventist groups like (David Koresh) and TBN (Trinity broadcasting) that believe that giving money will earn you "grace" and therfore more "crowns", so that you will be in the "inner temple" in Heaven. (Think of the second temple of Solomon) Then you have Mormons who say you will own your own planet when you die, and that you need to baptize all your ancestors. So please, which prayer would you like to have?!
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