" It has come to my attention that ________and yourself hold a brief prayer session in your office before beginning your daily work. This activity is to cease immediately. Continuation of this activity will result in progressive discipline as you and I have discussed separation of church and state previously."

I guess it's too much to ask that state employees have the same opportunities as the State Legislature. It's perfectly okay for State Representatives and U.S. Congressmen to begin their sessions with a prayer from a Chaplain, but two individuals sharing a workspace cannot. It's important to note that these individuals were not forcing themselves or their beliefs on others, nor were they asking anyone else to join in. This is a simple case of two Christians asking God to bless their workday. I can't imagine why anyone would have a problem with this.

If you rob, steal, cheat, bribe or commit other crimes, the State of Illinois has just the job for you. If you have the audacity to worship God-it's unacceptable. In the year 2000, America will make excuses for rapists, murderers, thugs and pedophiles. Some studies have actually tried to suggest that some of these "lifestyles" should be accepted as normal. Moreover, there is a constant barrage to accept every group, no matter what the belief, with the obvious exception of Christians. Are you a feminist lesbian priestess with the Church of Kill all Men? Come on in. Need an altar to sacrifice some misogynistic pig? The state would probably pay for it...but a quiet prayer to God asking for a blessing? Forget it. Groups like Planned Parenthood can go into schools and teach lessons about oral sex to fifth graders, but it is paramount that we protect the very same kids from the bad example of Christian prayer.

Right now you are asking yourself whether or not I'm exaggerating. Let me provide examples of current cases that are pending across this great land of freedom.

-A Florida public school special education teacher is facing punishment for offering a blessing of thanks for the food during lunch.

-A Christian in Ohio is forbidden to listen to Christian music in his workplace, even though any other kind of music is allowed.

-A security officer in Georgia lost his job because he began a bible study group in his workplace.

-Also in Florida, employees have been reprimanded for putting religious fliers in a lunchroom literature rack.

-And, a civilian employee on a military base in Georgia was reprimanded for wearing a t-shirt with a biblical message printed on it.

These are but a few of the many documented cases of discrimination against Christians. With the world going to Hell in a hand basket it seems odd that some have chosen Christianity as the evil that needs to be eradicated. Remember that freedom of speech means just that, speech that is free. If nazis can march at the taxpayers expense and cities can fund gay pride parades and Planned Parenthood can promote oral sex in public schools, why is it wrong for two people, who happen to work for the State of Illinois, to begin their day with prayer?

As I look around the world it seems to me that we could all use a little prayer.