"[A] reference to religion is not more likely to be harmless merely because it is 'ceremonial.' In many circumstances (such as in schools, as we see in the Ahlquist scenario), ceremonies are where citizens learn how to define patriotism. If we are defining patriotism according to religious language and beliefs, how can we say that the 'ceremony' is harmless, or that the language has 'lost its ...significant religious content'?"
The Preamble to the Iowa Constitution reads: "WE THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF IOWA, grateful to the Supreme Being for the blessings hitherto enjoyed, and feeling our dependence on Him for a continuation of those blessings, do ordain and establish a free and independent government, by the name of the State of Iowa..."
The Preamble doesn't really do much. Does the wording bother you? Is it harmful? Is it something that ought to be changed? Would it be different if it specifically referenced Jesus? Why or why not? Maybe this is a conversation worth having in our first official meeting this year.
What do you think? Read the full article here.