Hinrichs v. Bosma

2006

Venue: 7th Cir

Facts: Indiana legislature likes to kick things off with a prayer. Some of them are pretty overtly Christian.

Posture: Suit in district court.

Issue: Is this an establishment of religion?

Holding: It appears not.

Rule: Nonsectarian prayer is probably OK.

Reasoning: Prayer that proselytizes or disparages a particular faith or belief is prohibited.

Dicta: This is a special case: we're talking about a legislature here. Federal courts shouldn't interfere with that.