Missouri Passes 'Right to Pray' Amendment by More Than 600,000 Votes

Religion Today | Updated: Aug 08, 2012

Missouri Passes 'Right to Pray' Amendment by More Than 600,000 Votes

On Tuesday, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment that supporters feel will protect religious freedom, the Christian Post reports. The measure, known as Amendment 2 but commonly referred to as the "Right to Pray" amendment, gives Missouri residents the right to express religious beliefs in public without fear of their freedom to do so being limited. The amendment also protects voluntary prayer in public schools and requires public schools to display a copy of the Bill of Rights. According to Kerry Messer of the Missouri Family Network, "religious liberty is pretty important to [Missouri voters] and a high priority. ... The public feels like the Supreme Court took this away from them over 50 years ago with a ruling against mandatory school prayer." Not everyone is backing the new piece of legislation, however. Alex Luchenitser of Americans United for Separation of Church and State said: "This amendment promotes unconstitutional conduct. ... It's going to result in a whole lot of litigation." It is still unclear what, if any, immediate impact the amendment, which takes effect in 30 days, will have.



Missouri Passes 'Right to Pray' Amendment by More Than 600,000 Votes