His mean-spirited prayer at a public hearing on raising rates for the Alabama Power Company violates our constitution … plus, his bra doesn’t fit.
“God, we’ve taken you out of our schools, we’ve taken you out of our prayers, we’ve murdered your children … we’ve said it’s OK to have same-sex marriage, God. We have sinned. And we ask once again that you’ll forgive us of our sins.” — An inappropriate and unconstitutional prayer from Anti-gay Baptist Pastor John Delwin Jordan, at an Alabama Public Service Commission meeting on raising rates for the Alabama Power Company.
A July 17 state government meeting in Montgomery, Ala. has not only spurred criticism around the country, but has also possibly revealed some gross improprieties of a government serving corporations, instead of serving the people. During a public hearing of the Alabama Public Service Commission, a religious poll and prayer were each conducted before the start of the hearings. The prayer itself is not uncommon for those wishing to partake, but the poll itself seems to single out non-religious members and citizens attending the hearing and is a violation of the First Amendment.
Twinkle Cavanaugh, President of the Alabama Public Service Commission, opened the meeting with a brief introduction of her “dear friend,” “role model” and preacher, John Delwin Jordan, whom would be delivering the customary prayer. She continues to offer a glowing endorsement of his personal blog and email newsletters, asking people to sign up so they may be “challenged to walk closer with our creator.”
For the most part, everything, thus far, appeared routine and not uncommon from any other state office proceedings anywhere else in the country. With regard to the First Amendment, an opening prayer is completely constitutional in any meeting of state where officials choose to conduct a prayer as a customary practice.
According to the 1983 Supreme Court decision, Marsh v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783:
To invoke Divine guidance on a public body entrusted with making the laws is not, in these circumstances, an ?establishment? of religion or a step toward establishment; it is simply a tolerable acknowledgment of beliefs widely held among the people of this country.
There are however, several specific exceptions to this ruling. Both Cavanaugh and Jordan violated every specific exception under this ruling. Watch the video from YouTube as to how this was carried out, as well as a transcript of the video that mentions the presentation of a certificate to Jordan.
According to the mission statement of their online website, the Alabama Public Service Commission was formed “to ensure a regulatory balance between regulated companies and consumers in order to provide consumers with safe, adequate and reliable services at rates that are equitable and economical.” These specific hearings though, were called to address the issue of rate changes between Alabama Power Co. and its customers. AARP and Alabama Arise are representing private citizens in a statement that stated that the current rates are too favorable to Alabama Power Co. and are unfairly expensive to elderly and low-income customers. Alabama Power Co. denies the allegations and states that their rates are fair and reasonable.
Further appearance of impropriety is revealed when we find out that John Delwin Jordan is the leader of the Prattville Tea Party, and is actually in attendance of the meeting to testify on behalf of the Alabama Power Co.
John Archibald of the Birmingham News was in attendance of the hearing and has a very detailed play-by-play of everything that happened during the hearing.
In an email statement to Huffington Post, Cavanaugh writes:
My Christian faith guides me in everything that I do, and I’m proud that the Alabama Public Service Commission opens each meeting seeking His divine guidance and thanking God for the blessings He has given us. I make no apologies as a Christian elected into public service by the people of Alabama. Without a doubt, our nation needs more prayer, not less.
EDITOR’S NOTE: In case you’re wondering why Jordan’s wearing a bra, he explains in his facebook post:
John at 50% off sale Duaine said I DID NOT NEED IT AND I SAID; ‘ BUT HONEY THEY ARE 50% OFF!’
Online searches provided little information, but Jordan’s facebook photos give this editor the impression that “Duaine” is the pastor’s wife. At least she hopes it’s the pastor’s wife.
Photo from Delwin Jordan’s facebook page via the New Civil Rights Movement.
Edited/published: EAP
