Banning god: Greens MLC Robert Simms calls to abolish Lord’s Prayer at start of parliament day

A Greens plan to abolish the Lord’s Prayer in state parliament has sparked fierce criticism among Christians and the major parties. What do you think? Vote in our poll.

The daily tradition of reciting the Lord’s Prayer would be banned from state parliament, under a controversial Greens proposal.

Upper House MP, Robert Simms, wants to abolish the Christian recital read each day when the Upper and Lower Houses sit because it “alienates” politicians from the wider community.

But his calls sparked fury from Christians and Opposition criticism over claims the minor party was ignoring current problems for South Australians such as the cost of living crisis.

Premier Peter Malinauskas has no plans to scrap the prayer.

Australian Christian Lobby national director, Wendy Francis, said the Lord’s Prayer was a legitimate historical parliamentary tradition.

Wendy Francis from the Australian Christian Lobby is furious. Picture: Josh Woning

“It seems the Greens want to ban any hint of Christianity from parliament,” she said.

“Do they want to apply the same ban to other religious … activities such as indigenous smoking ceremonies?”

A senior state MP added: “No one in a mortgage belt suburb has ever come to me asking for Lord’s Prayer to be abolished.”

But Mr Simms, an atheist, denied he was trying to ban God.

He said while tradition is important, the prayer “alienates” parliament and MPs from the “community we seek to represent”.

He last week told MPs that parliament was almost unique as one of a few workplaces that begin the day with a mandatory prayer.

House speaker Dan Cregan reads the Lord’s Prayer in the lower house in Parliament House. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

“This isn’t about banning any religious practice – quite the opposite is true,” he told The Advertiser.

“It’s about recognising that the parliament should reflect the diversity of the community we represent.

“That means respecting all religions, not just one and indeed respecting the views of those who are not religious.”

Under current parliamentary standing orders – or rules – House of Assembly speaker, Dan Cregan, and Legislative Council president, Terry Stephens, start each sitting day with the Lord’s Prayer as well an acknowledgement of country and traditional owners statement.

The prayers are slightly different in each house.

SA Green’s MP Robert Simms wants the Lord’s Prayer scrapped. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

On taking the Chair each day Mr Cregan reads the following prayers: “Almighty God, we humbly beseech you to bless this parliament and to direct and prosper our deliberations to the advancement of Your Glory and the true welfare of the people of this State.

“Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom.”

The Upper House prayer is preceded by the words: “Almighty God, we humbly beseech thee to vouchsafe thy blessing upon this parliament. We pray thee to direct and prosper our deliberations to the advancement of thy glory, and the true welfare of the people of this state.”

Earlier this year, a “proud” Premier Peter Malinauskas successfully had orders changed rules to formally acknowledge Aboriginal history, with unanimous support from MPs.

Latest Census data shows the main religion in SA is Christianity at 40 per cent, which decreased from almost half of the state in 2016.

Liberal MP Terry Stephens also reads out a Lord Prayer. Here he is with Upper House MP Jing Lee during the Legislative Council election results. Picture: Morgan Sette

In contrast 45.8 per cent of South Australians have no religious believes.

Mr Stephens, a Catholic, said he would not be “leading the charge” for any prayer change.

“I’ve no intention at all of making any change,” he said.

“However, I serve at the pleasure of the Council and I act as directed by the standing orders which say you read the prayers and the acknowledgment of indigenous people. And I’m very comfortable with that.”

The Premier’s spokesman said the Government has “no plans to change the long standing arrangement regarding prayers at the commencement of parliament”.

Premier Peter Malinauskas was proud to have formal change to reflect welcome to country in opening addresses. Picture: Matt Loxton

“Prayers are a part of the Standing Orders, which are overseen by a committee, which can recommend changes,” he said.

“Ultimately, any decision to change the Standing Orders is a matter for each house.”

An Opposition spokesman said any political conversation about change should be focused on helping South Australians such as the worst ramping crisis, relieving hip pockets of struggling families and businesses and solving homelessness.

“South Australians would expect politicians to be focused on these issues above all else,” he said.

Originally published as Banning god: Greens MLC Robert Simms calls to abolish Lord’s Prayer at start of parliament day