Last night I attending a pinning ceremony for RN's at a public college. The color guard was not present as they were out sick, so instead they started with the pledge of allegiance. Next were a few quotes from the scriptures and a speech, then the speaker started the ceremony with prayers.

I get that Florence Nightingale was a devout Christian, and that as a pioneer nurse paved the way for followers. Does every single nurse follow a god and believe in the bible? Was this ceremony in a public college an isolated event of praying/scriptures, or is it just the practice of a specific Christian area? Has anyone attended a pinning ceremony or have been pinned as an RN and experienced this?

Yes, the religious speak can be ignored, but it is reinforcing belief over science? As in: God made science. ??

Admittedly, while the mass of audience bowed their heads during the prayer, I uttered (not too loudly) what does this have anything to do with nursing? Religion has no place in science, and making (teaching or forcing) others to believe it does, is flat out wrong.

What say you?