Some Say Legislative Prayer Group is Unconstitutional - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

Some Say Legislative Prayer Group is Unconstitutional

A law professor worries some lawmakers have gone too far.

A small group of lawmakers plans to officially announce the establishment of a prayer group for legislators and the public later this week, but the idea is already taking some heat.

The group identifies itself as being a Judeo-Chrisitan prayer group and that's something at least one local expert says is simply unconstitutional.

State Representative Ken Kurtz supports the idea of a Michigan prayer group.

Kurtz: "Its a uniting in prayer from a Judeo-Christian tradition of belief that we feel is very evident in the founding of our nation."

But it's that Judeo-Christian part that has some upset.

Frank Ravitch, MSU Professor of Law: "Its not even close to being constitutional. The court has been clear, non-sectarian is key -- this is sectarian, I'm shocked actually."

Ravitch says its likely this prayer group will land the state in court.

Ravitch: "Id be surprised if the state wasn't sued over this. "It clearly excludes Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics."

But Representative Kurtz says those who practice other faiths are welcome to join but the groups prayers will be the same.

Kurtz: "We would take the opportunity to pray from a Christian perspective. I don't see any problem with that."

Ravitch: "Why on earth would a Muslim or even a Jew want to take part in something where the person who sponsored it said this is Christian."

Kurtz: "Its a choice, nobody's being made to do this so if they don't agree with that or don't want it, no one is forcing them to do that."

But Ravitch says that's not the point.

Ravitch: "The us supreme court has very clearly held that even when it comes to legislative prayer itself, its gotta be non-sectarian and non proselytizing and this is brazenly sectarian."

Kurtz: "For the ones that want to meet and have prayer together -- do the study of the bible that sort of thing-- we're free to do that."

But Ravitch says its not that simple and argues if the state ends up in court, it wont' win.

The group's official announcement will take place at noon on Wednesday in the state capitol.

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