The Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) wrote a letter to Greenville, PA officials saying that opening monthly City Council meetings with prayers is unconstitutional and must stop. In response, at a recent public meeting, the City formally decided to simply ignore the implied threat by atheists' to bring a lawsuit.
For background, click headlines below for previous articles:
Prayers in Government Meetings OK, Says San Francisco Court
Atheist Organization Swamped Suing to Stop Prayer
Atheists Misrepresent U.S. Constitution re: Prayer
Wisconsin Atheists Want Prayer Stopped in Tennessee
Ignore Atheists and Pray, Says Roanoke County, VA
Prayer Returns to Texas Town, Ignoring Atheists
Prayer at Florida County Meetings Will Continue
Washington City Continues to Pray Despite Atheist Lawsuit Threat
Atheists' Prayer Threat Rejected by South Carolina Municipalities
Ohio Town Will Continue Praying
Wisconsin County Yields Prayer to Atheist Threat
-- From "Prayer before Greenville Council meeting called 'unconstitutional'" by Danielle Cotterman, Reporter, WFMJ-TV21 (Youngstown, OH) 4/15/13
According to the [FFRF] letter, "a local complaint brought this matter to their attention."
The complaint stated, "[the] prayers often use phrases such as 'in Jesus' name,' rendering them indisputably Christian."
Greenville Council President Brian Shipley argues that each month a different denominational leader in the Greenville area offers the prayer.
"We don't have a Synagogue, we don't have a Mosque in Greenville," Shipley said. "It's not that they wouldn't be welcome, it's just that they do not exist in the Greenville area, or they would be invited to participate as well."
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
From "Prayer meeting -- Council rejects petition to end invocation" by Tom Davidson Herald Staff Writer 4/15/13
The prayers will continue, [Shipley] said.
“I am perfectly OK with prayer at meetings,” Councilman Anthony D’Alfonso said. “I think it’s a long-standing tradition that should be honored.”
Councilman Ted Jones called the complaint “pretty crazy.”
“I think it’s pretty stupid,” Jones said. “I don’t think we should do anything.”
To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.
Also read Prayer in America: Hidden Faith, or Public?
