By The Iowa Statesman
In response to the news that a wiccan priestess from Cedar Rapids has been invited to give the morning invocation in the Iowa House of Representatives on Thursday, April 9, a group of central Iowa Christians will hold a “Prayer at the Capitol” event that day.
Dawn Maynard, the priestess in question, was invited to provide the invocation by state Rep. Liz Bennet (D-Cedar Rapids). Bennett said it’s not a legislator’s job to “endorse one religion over another,” but it is a legislature’s job to be inclusive. Regardless, the move is unprecedented — even in every other state — and has drawn national attention.
Christian leaders have initiated a plan to organize the prayer event to show their solidarity against allowing Maynard to give the invocation. The group said it doesn’t “plan to be loud or disrespectful, but to pray in all earnestness against this wickedness.”
The group’s goal is to fill up the House gallery area, while also having a ring of people around the Statehouse, praying. The House typically convenes each day at 8:30 a.m. and starts with the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. The group asks that those who plan to participate should arrive by 8 a.m. to get organized.
To learn more, or to join the effort, visit the event’s Facebook page by clicking here.
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