QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Jan 20, 2009 -> 02:38 PM)
What about separating church and state saids that Barack Obama, or any other President, can't have a prayer at their ceremony. Its not like he is forcing everyone to stand up and pray with him at gunpoint. Separation doesn't mean complete disconnect, it means it can't be forced upon the state. A person's personal preferences do not violate that.
The inauguration is a state function not a religious function. I find it completely unnecessary to perform religious ceremonies during something like this.