Nebraska Senators Object to Morning Prayer on Abortion, Evolution

Preacher stirs of some trouble in Cornhusker country:

LINCOLN (AP) - A prayer made before the start of Tuesday's legislative session asking forgiveness for abortions and the teaching of evolution drew the ire of at least one senator and disapproving comments from others.

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The prayer was delivered by Tom Swartley, a minister at First Christian Church in Elm Creek. Standing at the front of the legislative chamber with his comments broadcast statewide, Swartley asked God for forgiveness for abortion, which he called a "33-year-long nightmare."

"We go to work and school and come home and watch TV while genocide, infanticide and homicide is being committed against our own children," he said.

Swartley also asked forgiveness for "teaching the religion of evolution to our young citizens."

"We put our children in the same category as other mammals and then we wonder why some act like animals," he said.

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers, who makes it a point not to be present during the daily prayer, rushed from his first-floor office up the stairs to the chamber in time to criticize the remarks shortly after they were completed.

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Sen. Jim Cudaback of Riverdale, the lawmaker who invited Swartley, said Swartley had stepped over the line... "You don't bring that kind of subject," Cudaback said of Swartley's prayer. "You're here to make us feel good."

(emphasis added)

My Comments:
Regardless of what you think of the preacher's comments, they make for great soundbites.

And then there's this: "You don't bring [up] that kind of subject... You're here to make us feel good."




"You're here to make us feel good."