“This is for those who want to come together in prayer. Those who are Christians are certainly welcome.”

If this statement had been made about a brand-spankin’ new Bible study group, I would have no problem with it. If it had been said at an AA meeting, an interfaith group, or even a funeral, I’d have no problem with it. When it is said – non-ironically, I might add – by a state senator about a weekly function held in the Iowa Capitol building, I have a problem with it.

The speaker in question, Sen. Joni Ernst, a Republican representing Red Oak, IA, was quoted in the Des Moines Register on Tuesday; she is one of three state legislators chairing a “bipartisan prayer caucus” held each week in the statehouse. Not only is this a genuinely legitimate endeavor, take into consideration that:

“Both the Iowa House and Senate traditionally begin each day’s floor session with a prayer offered by a clergy member who is a guest of the legislator, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.”

MIND BLOWN. In the bad way. Top three reasons why this is a phenomenally bad judgment call on behalf of the three legislators in question and the state legislature on the whole:

1). That “wall of separation between Church and State” that ballin’ wig-wearer and notorious slave owner (and third president) Thomas Jefferson was so entranced with? That applies just as equally here as it does to freedom to practice one’s religion, whatever it may be. Why the flying fuck are people praying – to a Christian god, specifically – in the Iowa Capitol every morning? And where’s the legislators’ freedom to abstain?

2). Why does the Pledge of Allegiance follow the morning prayer? Does this imply that state legislators should be beholden to their god before their constituents, or their country? When Jesus starts paying state income tax, I might be willing to let this slide. (What’s that? Churches don’t pay any taxes?! FML.)

And 3). Getting back to the issue at hand here, if there’s already a daily morning (presumably non-voluntary) Christian prayer, why exactly do we need to take an hour every Tuesday “worshipping for loved ones or constituents and seeking guidance?” And why are lawmakers inviting the public into these sessions, yet not into the chamber sessions that actually have some impact on Iowans’ lives?

I think it’s wonderful that Sen. Ernst, Rep. Phyllis Thede (D-Bettendorf), and Rep. Joel Fry (R-Osceola) have found a religion that brings them hope, joy, and peace of mind. I really do. It’s when this kinda crap becomes mandatory and then spills into designated “No Trespassing” zones that I take issue with personal religious zealotry evangelizing.

Just for one day, let’s commence the congressional sessions with only the Pledge of Allegiance, skip the “bipartisan prayer caucus” over lunch, and top it all off with an evening visit to the church, synagogue, mosque, temple, or non-religious establishment of our choice on our own time. Your constituents will thank you for it (and Jesus could use a break).