Prayer stems from tradition, not religion
IWAS rather impressed to see the majority view of TDs was to retain the traditional Dáil prayer despite opposition from a number of deputies.
The prayer which has said at the beginning of each session has been a fixture since the formation of Dáil Éireann was called into question by TDs who refused to stand to observe it and who argued that it does not reflect the multicultural nation that is Ireland today.
Many will argue that religion has no place in a forum such as this but I don’t believe it is even about religion but more about tradition and taking a few moments to focus and reflect.
So many people are quick to cast tradition aside and shout down those who wish to retain their Catholic faith.
Regardless of the many failings of the Catholic church, we cannot lose sight of the fact that a lot of Irish people still take their faith seriously and are practicing Catholics.
Ireland, is predominantly a Catholic country and while this may be a source of embarrassment and offence to many, it is a reality. The protest over the Dáil prayer is just another issue taking up precious time in parliament where real and more pressing issues could be debated.
It is a non-issue. Those who do not follow any religion do not have to observe the prayer, but they should respect that the majority of TDs wish to have it said, just as it has been for almost a century.
Rather than viewing the prayer as favouring one religion over another why can it not be viewed as a nod to tradition, one that reflects a the start of a very exciting and liberating time in Irish life and poli- tics? Saying a short prayer is not ramming Catholicism down the throats of the entire population and I would be surprised if it truly offended those of other religions who have made their homes in Ireland.
Voting to add a moment of ‘silent reflection’ was an appropriate addition to the prayer which allows those of all religions and none, this time without any religious label on it.
Some TDs are keen to remove any sort of tradition from the Dáil, and we previously saw the dress code challenged by those who felt that a collar and tie should not be required.
I don’t see why some politicians are so easily offended by these relatively minor things and why they devote so much time to arguing about them.