QUOTABLES
“...(I)nclusion of the category of morality among state concerns indicates that society is not limited in its objects only to the physical well-being of the community, but has traditionally concerned itself with the moral soundness of its people as well. Indeed to attempt a line between public behavior and that which is purely consensual or solitary would be to withdraw from community concern a range of subjects with which every society in civilized times has found it necessary to deal. The laws regarding marriage which provide both when the sexual powers may be used and the legal and societal context in which children are born and brought up, as well as laws forbidding adultery, fornication and homosexual practices which express the negative of the proposition, confining sexuality to lawful marriage, form a pattern so deeply pressed into the substance of our social life that any Constitutional doctrine in this area must build upon that basis.”
Supreme Court Justice Marshall Harlan in his opinion of Poe v. Ullman, 1961
Pray that the Supreme Court will take this into consideration in deliberating on the many crucial issues before it this session.
The Chaplain of the Senate, Fred S Holloman, offered this prayer at the beginning of the Kansas Senate session on March 13, 2003.
Heavenly Father,
There’s a custom in this chamber
Which keeps debating fair:
To help reduce emotion
We always address the Chair.
When we don’t address each other,
It helps reduce the tension;
So we always address the Chair
Which helps prevent dissension.
It seems to me a good idea,
When we go to prayer,
To assume the understanding
That God is in the Chair!
So if we have a problem
With someone anywhere,
Before we vent our anger
We should address the Chair.
In fact we should remember
To always be aware
Relationships can be saved
If we first address the Chair.
Remind us, Lord, You’re on the throne
And when it’s time for prayer,
Our temper’s easier to control
When we address the Chair.
I pray in the Name of Jesus, AMEN.