Christian History Home > Issue 55 > Prayer Debate
Prayer Debate
Who could pray at the trial?
David Goetz | posted 7/01/1997 12:00AM
On day three, when Judge Raulston asked Reverend Stribling to open with prayer, Darrow interrupted: "Seeing that … the nature of this case being one where it is claimed by the State that there is a conflict between science and religion … we object to the opening of the court with prayer."
The prosecution countered, "We, for the State, think it is quite proper to open the court with prayer … and such an idea extended by the agnostic counsel for the defense is foreign to the thoughts and ideas of the people who do not know anything about infidelity and care less."
Defense attorney Arthur Hays complained, "May I ask to enter an exception to the statement, 'agnostic counsel for the defense'?"
The judge replied, "Gentlemen, do not turn this into an argument," and agreed to let the prayer be said.
That afternoon, Hays, over the prosecution's objections, read a petition from a group of ministers: "We, the following representatives of various well-known religious organizations and synagogues, ... To view this item, you must be a member of ChristianHistory.net.
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