Protect our right to pray

Missouri voters have a unique privilege when they go to the polls Aug. 7. They have the opportunity to strengthen the guarantees contained in our state constitution protecting our religious freedoms.

Amendment 2 will clarify in the supreme law of our state our rights to the free exercise of our religion. The Missouri Prayer Amendment will protect our freedom to pray and share our faith in our schools, our communities, and our government.

Amendment 2 will make clear that our children and grandchildren have the right to pray on a voluntary basis in our schools. Amendment 2 will help ensure that citizens can gather on public property to honor God and join in community prayer. Amendment 2 will protect the right of our elected officials to acknowledge God in public meetings and public ceremonies.

Unfortunately, our rights to express our religious values and beliefs are under continuing attack. The American Civil Liberties Union recently filed suit in federal court here in Missouri to stop Franklin County government leaders from having invocations before their meetings.

Amendment 2 will not authorize the government to endorse or establish any religion. It will not allow any person to be forced to participate in any prayer or religious activity. What it will do is guarantee that religious speech is afforded the same constitutional protections as speech on any other subject.

We encourage you to vote for Amendment 2 on the Aug. 7 ballot to protect our right to pray here in Missouri.

JOE ORTWERTH, executive director,

Missouri Family Policy Council, Chesterfield, Mo.