supreme court: If you don't like it, leave the room.

[spanone]

worse supreme court ever...imho

That's the essence of Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's advice for atheists and others who object to sectarian prayers before government meetings.

In a 5-4 decision written by Kennedy, the Supreme Court allowed Greece, New York, to continue hosting prayers before its monthly town board meetings - even though an atheist and a Jewish citizen complained that the benedictions are almost always explicitly Christian.

Many members of the country's majority faith - that is, Christians - hailed the ruling.

Many members of minority faiths, as well as atheists, responded with palpable anger, saying the Supreme Court has set them apart as second-class citizens.

http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2014/05/05/supreme-court-religious-minorities-dont-have-a-prayer/?hpt=hp_t1

[PoliticAverse]

1. U.S Senate...

http://www.senate.gov/reference/office/chaplain.htm

[morningfog]

7. A few things,

that doesn't make their ruling right. And the Senate is a wholly different body. While the prayer and chaplain practice should be done away with and is likely unconstitutional, it has been opening with prayer for a very long time. The town in case had only recently started. It lacked the tradition angle. And, the town meetings in question are the only way to petition the local government. It is the sole venue to have your voice heard. So, it is more coercive than the opinion suggested.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. The Senate also has guest chaplains of many faiths give the opening prayer

Despite the objections of the lunatics in the gallery...

[RedCappedBandit]

10. If someone interrupted a christian prayer, they'd scream persecution

until they were blue in the face.

But of course, this is ok.

[mucifer]

13. Ok I kinda take back what I said. The religious leader was so intimidated

he couldn't look up. That was scary. I feel really bad for him. The right wing christians wouldn't have done that to a rabbi. They are total hypocrites.

[mucifer]

2. I suppose I should be more bothered by it. I'm Jewish. To me compared to

everything the supreme court has done, I really don't care about this. They aren't saying I can't pray.

[Skidmore]

11. No, they aren't.

They are creating a slippery slope and greasing it. What do you think some of these radical Christian theocrats are going to do with this? It will certainly embolden them. Look at what the McCutcheon decision has done for big money donors. Look at the effects of some of the legislation in states on guns. You should be concerned. There is a streak of insanity in this nation now that is absolutely frightening given where it will possibly be taken by those who refuse to acknowledge "the other" of whatever stripe.

[mucifer]

12. I just feel that in some places these meetings have been started with

Christian prayers for hundreds of years. It's not the same as McCutheon.

[rurallib]

3. Will the Roberts Court eventually considered the worst?

Definitely on its way.
I have no what Court is considered the worst - I would guess the Taney Court pre Civil War.
But Roberts and gang seems to be trying hard

[sharp_stick]

4. I usually just sit and chat

fuck em and their sky wizard fantasies.

Personally I'm waiting for Dearborn to hold some Islamic prayers before a meeting, then we'll see Pat Robertson do a little sweating.

[pipoman]

5. I admittedly haven't followed prior rulings

Usually when they accept such a case there is some ambiguity in the body of precedent that they are trying to address, or to change an existing precedent. Is this why they took it?

[1000words]

6. Use the time to caucus with others.

Essentially, start the meeting without them. No one said you have to be quiet about it, either.

[Javaman]

9. I just love when the supremes violate the first amendment.

fascism yet?