Thou Shall Not Pray
One of the most fascinating aspects of the current Oklahoma Legislature played out this week in the House chamber when two Representatives had to be physically separated as tempers flared.
Such scenes are common in legislative bodies in some foreign countries, especially those just learning to deal with democracy and the various freedoms involved. They are not however that common in the legislative bodies within these United States.
What is even more uncommon is the topic which brought about this very dramatic confrontation between Oklahoma Represenatives Al Lindley and Paul Wesselhoft – prayer. No, their heated confrontation was not over prayer in school, prayer at half-time at high school sporting events or even prayer on the public square during lunch time. The dispute arose over prayer in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
To better grasp what took place one needs to understand the backgrounds of the two lawmakers.
On his official web page Rep. Wesselhoft indicates that he is a ‘Retired U.S. Army Airborne Ranger Chaplain’. He also lists his profession as ‘Ordained Southern Baptist Minister’. Rep. Wesselhoft’s page also indicates he is a newcomer to the Legislature.
On his official web page Rep. Lindley lists neither a military background, religious affliliation or profession however his page does indicate he is ‘term limited’ in 2008. This of course implies that he has been a member of the Oklahoma Legislature for ten years.
On the one hand we have a retired military chaplain, one who lists his profession as ordained minister and on the other hand a long term politician who list no religious information on his page. One might logically expect one of the two legislators to be more amicable to the use of prayer in their daily life and to include prayer in their legislative efforts. And one would be justified in this expectation.
What is shocking is that the very heated dispute over the offering of prayer in the Oklahoma House centered upon Rep. Wesselhoft’s taking issue with Rep. Lindley’s offering of a prayer for his fellow lawmakers. Yes, you read that correctly, the ‘ordained Southern Baptist minister’ sought to restrain his fellow representative from offering a prayer for his fellow lawmakers.
A news media report indicated that Rep. Wesselhoft says the prayer was inappropriate and politically motivated and that he was offended by the misuse of the prayer.
This of course gives rises to the question of whether the prayer was in Wesselhoft’s view inappropriate because it was being offered by a member of the opposing political party.
If so, since when does political affiliation determine the appropriateness of a prayer? And who gets to decide? Rep. Wesselhoft, the only member of the Oklahoma Legislature that lists his profession as ‘ordained Southern Baptist minister’ or possibly by a simple majority vote of all House members?
One can only wonder if Rep. Wesselhoft wishes to ban all prayer from the Oklahoma House or only those prayers offered by Democrats.
Those wishing to determine the answer may contact Rep. Wesselhoft via e-mail at:
Or by phone at (405) 557-7343
