c. 2007 Religion News Service

TRENTON, N.J. _ Legislative prayers and controversies about them go back to the founding of the republic. Here are some key developments:

1774: Over the objections of delegates John Jay and John Rutledge, the Continental Congress establishes a tradition of opening its sessions with a prayer by a paid chaplain.

1776: New Jersey’s first constitution provides that no person “shall be compelled to attend any place of worship” or pay tithes to any church, but limits eligibility for public office to Protestants.

1789: The first Congress authorizes payment of its chaplains. Three days later, the same Congress agrees on the wording of the First Amendment, prohibiting “an establishment of religion.”

1802: In a letter to Baptists in Danbury, Conn., President Thomas Jefferson says he reads the First Amendment as “building a wall of separation between Church and State.”

1846: The New Jersey Assembly begins the practice of opening its sessions with a prayer by an invited clergy member. The Senate follows days later.

1853: The U.S. Senate considers and rejects a claim that having a paid chaplain violates the First Amendment.

1962: The U.S. Supreme Court rules 6-1 it is unconstitutional to begin each day of public school with a nonsectarian prayer to “Almighty God” composed by the New York Board of Regents.

1981: The New Jersey Supreme Court unanimously rules the Metuchen (N.J.) municipal council may open its meetings with a nondenominational invocation, but warns that “more distinctively religious exhortations” might be unconstitutional.

1983: Citing “an unbroken history of more than 200 years,” the U.S. Supreme Court concludes “the practice of opening legislative sessions with prayer has become part of the fabric of our society.” By a vote of 6-3, it rules the Nebraska Legislature acted constitutionally in keeping the same paid chaplain _ a Presbyterian _ for 18 years.

1992: In a ruling that forbids the recitation of “nonsectarian” prayers by invited clergy at public high school graduations, the U.S. Supreme Court declares “it is no part of the business of government to compose official prayers.”

2004: A federal appeals court rules the town council of Great Falls, S.C., unconstitutionally promoted a particular faith by consistently invoking Jesus’ name in its opening prayers.

2005: A federal appeals court upholds the Chesterfield, Va., county council’s practice of inviting a variety of clergy members to lead its nonsectarian opening prayers. It rejects a claim by a self-described “witch” that she should be allowed to lead the prayers.

2005: A federal judge orders the Indiana House of Representatives to instruct clergy members invited to give the prayer that they may not utter “Christ’s name or title or any other denominational appeal.”

KRE/CM END SCHWANEBERGEditors: See main story, RNS-STATEHOUSE-PRAY, transmitted April 12, 2007.