ACLU to COJ, stop prayer in chambers

[reednavy]

I happen to agree with this.

The American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter Wednesday to Mayor John Peyton and City Council President Richard Clark asking that the city stop opening council sessions with sectarian prayer.

http://www.news4jax.com/news/24011254/detail.html

[JMac]

ditto.  it's a city council meeting, not bible study.

[sheclown]

Intolerance brought this about -- no great surprise.

[reednavy]

Intolerance brought this about -- no great surprise.

Are you refering to the whole Dr. Ahmed fiasco or do you support prayer in a city council meeting?

[stjr]

What is the connection between prayer and running a City Council meeting?  I don't understand why prayers are necessary in this forum.

Councilman and Council "Chaplain" Don Redman was interviewed on WJXT and he said when he offers a prayer, he says "I", not "We", thus his prayers should not offend anyone.  He should be asked why, then, anyone should want or care to watch him pray in public.  His personal prayers should be a private activity, not a public one.  How does he come to the conclusion a public meeting in City Hall is the place for him to display this private activity?

[sheclown]

Redman's comments brought the ACLU to COJ.

Prayer used as a weapon, especially to humiliate someone, should not be allowed anywhere, city council meetings or church for that matter.

[buckethead]

It's about time these zionist fundamentalists were held to account.

Now we need to burn their bibles.


Orrrr... (perhaps a bit more subtle:)

Thank God for the ACLU!

[reednavy]

Reading comments on all the media sites, this city is so full of stupid people that don't realize that prayer and government functions are not needed together.

Even though Clark says it'll continue and he supports it, they really won't have much of a choice, they're violating the law.

[Springfielder]

I'm certainly not against prayer...however, I do understand why it should not be a part of the city council meeting. Just as it's not allowed to be part of the school systems. Not everyone is of the same religious affiliations, and that in a sense leaves out the other religious (and even non-religious) persons in that those are not really included. It leaves them out, in that they're not recognized. This is the reasoning as to why it shouldn't be part of the official council meeting, as it 'imposes' a certain religious act, if you will, upon those who either aren't of the same faith or don't believe.

The council could handle this just as most schools do, say the pledge to the flag, then allow for a moment of silence. That's when people can either just be respectfully quiet, or have a personal prayer. It's such a simple solution, and will for all to have that personal freedom.

[Jaxson]

Point-counterpoint on sectarian prayer at city council meetings:
PRO: Jacksonville is a Christian city.  It is the duty of every elected official to ensure that the minority of heathens who live within city limits to convert.  The best venue to ensure maximum conversion is through sectarian prayer to safeguard our residents from the lava-floored cloisters of hell...
CON: Christianity is the dominant faith in Jacksonville, but there are ways in which city leaders can express their faith without doing so in a gaudy or ostentatious manner.  Sure, public forums can include some prayer, but could it not be a moment of silence or a less sectarian prayer?  Besides, if someone is looking to truly save his soul, shouldn't he go to...church?

[aaapolito]

I'm undecided on whether there is a place for prayer in city council meetings, however, I'm not sure if ACLU has an argument here.  I believe that under Marsh v. Chambers, 463 U.S. 783 (http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1982/1982_82_23), prayer at the beginning of a government meeting or start of a legisaltive session is constitutional.  Now, ACLU may have other arguments and may find this case in applicable, but under the current precedent, I believe that COJ is on proper constitutional footing.

[finehoe]

I think they should begin every meeting by disemboweling a chicken and then reading the entrails.

[Jaxson]

^^^ LOL @ finehoe ---

Don't forget to pass out some snakes...

[TheProfessor]

What happened to the separation of church and state?  What they are they praying for; that they will grow a brain before each meeting?

[tufsu1]

I think Clark's comments are especially disturbing....just because everyone on Council is currently Christian does not mean praying to Jesus is acceptable...remember, you represent ALL citizens!