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A Kentucky pastor sparked controversy this week when he spoke his mind about politics during an opening prayer before a joint legislative session.

Pastor Hershael York of Buck Run Baptist Church calls gambling a terrible thing just minutes before Governor Steve Beshear proposed casino gambling in Kentucky during Tuesday's session.

On Thursday, some state senators said they may or may not agree with the message, but insist it was the wrong venue. "There's lots of other avenues to make your opinion known on how your feel," said senator Dennis Parrett.

"A minister...should try to bring people together.. should try to unite them rather than to divide them." said senator Kathy Stein. "I think it was disrespectful to the governor and to other elected members of the general assembly.

Scott County's state senator countered that it's not up to the state to decide what someone can preach. "I respect his right to come before the general assembly and to give a prayer of his choosing," said senator Damon Thayer. "I don't think it was inappropriate."

York is currently out of the country on a mission trip and was unavailable for comment.