Ohio Councilman Won't Stop Praying in Jesus' Name

Wisconsin atheists, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, have again invaded Ohio by threatening its citizens with a costly legal battle if prayers don't stop at the Cuyahoga Falls city council meetings.  In response, councilman Terry Mader told the 200 residents packing the council chambers that it's his right, as an American citizen, to pray to God Almighty according to his faith when speaking in a public meeting.

"If I, as a Christian, am embarrassed to share [Jesus'] name, then he is going to be embarrassed in recognizing me in my relationship with him."
-- Terry Mader, Councilman at City of Cuyahoga Falls

“Regardless of what some people believe, we were not founded to be secular.”
-- Rev. Chris McCombs, Broadman Baptist Church

For background, read Atheists Say Ohio Religious Liberty Bill is Dangerous and also read Saginaw, Michigan City Council Ignores Atheists' Threat as well as California Judge OKs Prayer at Eureka City Council

Also read of the myriad atheist lawsuits against Christians and prayer nationwide and read Atheists Threaten to Sue Every School in Tennessee and in Mississippi but admit they're Short on Lawyers to Sue ALL Christians



UPDATE 5/13/14: U.S. Supreme Court rules prayers to Jesus Christ OK at government meetings

-- From "Cuyahoga Falls City Council prayer ‘in Jesus’ name’ brings residents out for debate" by Gina Mace, Special to the Akron Beacon Journal 3/6/14

On Feb. 10, Council President Mary Ellen Pyke gave council members copies of a letter she received from the Freedom from Religion Foundation, suggesting that Mader’s overtly Christian prayer at a public meeting violates the separation of church and state.

The Rev. Thomas Bloom, pastor of Community of Believers, said he thinks it is a good thing for “those in government to remind themselves there is a God in heaven to whom we all must give account.”

The majority of Americans believe in God, Bloom said.

He urged City Council to stand firm, adding, “I promise you that you will not stand alone.”

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Cuyahoga Falls City Council hears opinions pro and con on prayer in Council meetings" by Steve Wiandt, Cuyahoga Falls News-Press 3/9/14

. . . Despite opinions expressed, City Council's chaplain said on March 6 he has no plans to change the way he prays at Council's next meeting March 10.

As a citizen, Mader said, his right to pray is protected by the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Mader said when he prays in Council meetings he doesn't assume to represent everyone on Council. He said he has never said, "In Jesus' name we pray, amen," only, "In Jesus' name, or Christ's name, amen."

"Prayer is a fundamental right of every citizen of the United States of America, should they choose to do so," said Ted Shure of Cuyahoga Falls, president of Summit Christian School Board. "The members of the Freedom from Religion Organization are attempting to break this down. No one is forcing them to pray nor should they force us not to pray. The Organization has no vested interest in our community."

"While legislative prayer may offend some -- I acknowledge that -- it in no way violates the Constitution," said Chris McCombs, pastor of Broadman Baptist Church. "However the removal of prayer would do more than offend some … It would send a message that we won't stand on principle, but that we would cower to the threats of bullies."

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

For further background, read Prayer at Civic Meetings Flourish Across America as more Citizens Rebel Against Atheist Threats

And also read of countless examples of citizens banding together to defy the atheists and pray in school and other local government bodies.

In addition, read Texas Law Tells Schools to Ignore Atheist Threats and read the long list of states enacting laws to bring prayer back to schools.