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House Chaplain retired Rear Adm. Margaret Kibben offers a prayer as Clerk of the House of the Representatives Cheryl Johnson bows her head in the House chamber as the House meets for the fourth day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Friday, Jan. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
The first prayer in Congress happened 250 years ago in Philadelphia amongst mostly Christian lawmakers. Since then, the debate over the separation of church and state has only intensified nationally. Some say the First Amendment undeniably prevents any overlap between religion and law, others argue the divide is a myth, that the United States is inherently nonsecular. From leading a prayer on the football field, to keeping “under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance, swearing on the Bible or teaching it in Oklahoma middle schools, where do you draw the line between church and state? Our guests include Rachel Laser, the president and CEO of Americans United, Cheryl Allen, a former Pennsylvania Superior Court judge and of counsel for PA Family Institute, David Kruger, executive director of the Dialogue Institute based at Temple University and Reverend Naomi Washington-Leapheart, preacher, professor and writer.
If you would like to hear more about this topic, Carpenters’ Hall is hosting a discussion with nine faith leaders on September 5, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. at the American Philosophical Society: Benjamin Franklin Hall, 427 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106.
And, on September 7, 2024, at 11 a.m. you can witness a public reading of the First Congressional Prayer at Carpenters’ Hall.