Questions Raised About Prayers In Iowa Politics

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By Richard Pratt

Story Created: Mar 4, 2011 at 9:01 AM CDT

Story Updated: Mar 4, 2011 at 6:53 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Questions are being raised about separating church and state government following a prayer given before the Iowa Legislature that sought God's forgiveness for abortion and asked lawmakers to "have courage to rescue those being led away to death."

The prayer was given this week by the pastor at Fort Des Moines Church of Christ, Mike Demastus.

He told The Des Moines Register that he prayed about issues that he thinks are important to the majority of people of Iowa.

Some legislators want their leaders to emphasize to the prayer givers that their entreaties should be nondenominational and nonpartisan.

Others legislators prefer that moments of silence be observed instead.

And others in and out of the Capitol ask why there must be any such ritual moment.

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