Sir, – Paul Murphy TD is correct. Public prayer has no place in the institutions of a secular state. Moreover, the invocation in Dáil or Seanad of divine assistance would seem to be a fruitless exercise.
In my time as an Independent senator (1977-1983, 1987-1992), there was never any evidence that our proceedings were influenced by other-worldly wisdom. The higher power was deaf to our daily entreaty for guidance. Perhaps it was busy elsewhere but not evidently in the other House. – Yours, etc,
JOHN A MURPHY,
Cork.
Sir, – Further to Robert A Sharpe's letter (April 9th), a desire for secularism in the Dáil is not an expression of national shame at Christian heritage, but rather the hope that the institutions of the State, which demand compulsory membership and control collective resources, do not have an overtly religious character.
As reassuring as many people may find it, the fact that our national parliament, before confronting the problems that face society, expresses a solemn wish that “every work and word of ours may always begin from Thee”, referring to the Christian God, is for anybody of a diverging religious persuasion deeply troubling. If such a desire is anything more than an empty formula, it seems that a deity has the exclusive right of legislative initiative, a prospect that does not seem entirely symbolic in a society where Catholicism’s rejection of the idea of divorce was accepted as law until as recently as 1995.
Furthermore, I wonder if Mr Sharpe would be so ardent in his desire to see people stand up for their beliefs if a Muslim, Jew or atheist in our vibrant and diverse society found themselves elected ceann comhairle or as cathaoirleach of the Seanad. Would he see such a person disregard their beliefs and mouth words asking that their legislative decisions be determined by Christian morality? – Yours, etc,
CHRISTOPHER
McMAHON,
Castleknock,
Dublin 15.