The way the state House of Representatives sees it, a prayer is a prayer only if it refers to God.
Three years ago Rep. Juan Mendez, D-Tempe, who is an atheist, caused some discord when it was his turn to give the daily prayer in the House. He specifically urged members not to bow their heads. When Mendez asked to give the prayer for Monday-- the day the Secular Coalition of Arizona was at the Capitol-- he was told that day already was taken.
Then House Majority Leader Steve Montenegro put out a memo saying that the prayer has to be "a solemn request for guidance and help from God." And he said that other comments-- or even a moment of silence-- do not meet that requirement.
But Mendez said that's not fair, or right. "Just because we choose not to believe in a god, this god or that god, doesn't mean we can't invoke all different kinds of things," he said, "Invoke recognizing our diversity, recognizing how much we have in common, even just giving off a positive message towards the future."
Montenegro would not discuss the policy. But House Speaker David Gowan said he personally agrees with it-- "For me, you know, the Lord is near and dear to my heart. So when I do my prayers it's to God."
Montenegro's memo on what is permissible prayer was written before the dust-up at the Phoenix City Council when the Satanic Temple put in for its turn to offer a prayer. When city legal staff told council members they could not legally exclude the group, the council voted to eliminate prayer entirely.