INDIANAPOLIS (BP)--Rejecting requests to defy a judge's order banning the use of Christ's name in legislative prayers, Indiana's speaker of the house said Jan. 4 that instead of opening the 2006 session with a "government-approved" prayer, the house of representatives would have no formal prayer at all.

Addressing legislators on the first day of the new session, Indiana Speaker of the House Brian Bosma said that while the judge's ruling is being appealed, members would have "informal" and "uncensored" prayers on the floor of the House before each legislative day begins -- but not a formal prayer from the podium.

Those prayers on the floor, he said, can invoke Christ's name without defying the court order. In fact, before Bosma even spoke, members prayed together at the back of the House. Democrat Peggy Welch used "Holy Spirit" in her prayer, while Republican Eric Turner invoked the name of Christ.

But the 189-year-old tradition of having a formal prayer at the beginning of each session will take a hiatus -- at least for now, Bosma said. It was the first time that the House had met since the Nov. 30 ruling.
 
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