at the Chicago Tribune questions the tradition of “invit[ing] God to the inaugural ceremonies”:
Inaugurations did not open with prayer until Roosevelt’s inauguration in 1937, when the country was in the grips of a depression.
For several decades, evangelist Billy Graham became a mainstay at inaugurations until his son Franklin stepped in for him in 2001. But nary a complaint was issued when either Graham uttered Christ’s name. Warren is expected to invoke Jesus in his opening prayer too.
Rev. Randall Balmer, author of “God in the White House,” said Obama’s inauguration marks a “transitional moment” in which people are paying attention and wary of how Democrats will apply their newfound faith.
Some atheists believe the best approach is none at all.
Read the full article here, and read about the three historical phases of inaugural prayer here.