My 2 Cents: Chapel At State Capitol

It's not going to cost much, maybe not anything to taxpayers, but a proposed addition to the state capitol is stirring up some strong emotions.

House Speaker T.W. Shannon wants to use some space on the House side of the capitol building to create a chapel.

The way he explained it in an editorial is it's a way to honor Oklahoma's faith heritage, and that those expressing reservations about it are trying to remove God from America.

Speaker Shannon says the chapel would be funded with private money.

Although I'm barely lukewarm on the idea of adding a chapel, I don't have any empathy for those who complain you can't put one in a public building.

Of course you can, as long as you don't establish any state religion with it.

But do we need a chapel at the state capitol?

Is it for the symbolism of it all or for legislators seeking spiritual guidance?

If it's just symbolic that seems rather hollow.

And as far as the lawmakers are concerned, a legislative office is about as good a place as any to drop to your knees and pray for guidance.