Freedom of Religion - Part 2

• In 1985, the Illinois House of Representatives adopted a resolution authorizing the establishment of a "prayer room" in the state capital building, as a "quiet and special place where the members of the General Assembly may seek God, the comfort of His presence, the light of His guidance, and the strength of His love." To alleviate any constitutional questions, the room was made "nonsectarian," and the costs of renovation and maintenance were to be borne by private contributions. Shortly after the resolution was adopted, it was challenged in court on the grounds that it was an unconstitutional "establishment of religion." A federal appeals court rejected this challenge, largely on the basis of a 1983 decision of the United States Supreme Court finding that the Nebraska legislature's practice of opening each session with a prayer read by a state-employed chaplain did not violate the ...