Court rules that prayers opening a town's board meetings were too Christian
Greece town hall
Secularist advocacy groups trying to ban prayer at public meetings won a legal victory on May 17. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled against the town board of Greece, N.Y., which opens meetings with prayers. The town had invited pastors and lay people from a variety of denominations and religions—even atheists—to say these prayers. Some non-Christian clerics, including a Wiccan priestess, had offered a few prayers in 2008.
Nevertheless, the 2nd Court concluded that "the town's prayer practice had the effect of affiliating the town with Christianity," affirming arguments made by plaintiffs' lawyers from Americans United for Separation of Church and State. Christians have uttered most of the prayers, the decision noted, and they have often included Christian terms like "Jesus" or "Your Son." Citing a Supreme Court precedent in Marsh v. Chambers (1983), the court conceded that prayers...
Jim Lincoln wrote: Ah, Mike, they may not throw anyone in jail, but to modify what Thomas Jefferson said on taxes,"The power to fine is the power to destroy." The better thing is just to take it to a higher court and running through that whole thing could take several years. It would have the city's attorney earn his money.
If it were within a court's proper role to decide whether people in public meetings can pray, I might agree. But we should try not to start from a false premise.
ps, I don't believe it was Jefferson said that, even unmodified.
Ah, Mike, they may not throw anyone in jail, but to modify what Thomas Jefferson said on taxes,"The power to fine is the power to destroy." The better thing is just to take it to a higher court and running through that whole thing could take several years. It would have the city's attorney earn his money.
They should continue to pray, defying the judge. (Face it, no man can rightfully stop men from praying to God) What exactly can the court do to stop them? Can every town board that prays be jailed? Call the court's bluff. Why not see what happens when the people say "enough"?
I think the court is wrong in that probably the majority of the town are nominal Christians, so it's not surprising that the majority of prayer-givers were at least nominally Christians.
"Secularist advocacy groups trying to ban prayer at public meetings won a legal victory on May 17. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit ruled against the town board of Greece, N.Y., which opens meetings with prayers."
The court is not authorized under the Constitution to make this decision, but hey, what comes of ignorance is ignorant decisions. Those black robes cover foolish hearts.
"Nevertheless, the 2nd Court concluded that "the town's prayer practice had the effect of affiliating the town with Christianity,"
Good Grief!
We can't have that!
A town affiliating with Christianity - Today!!
Especially at a time in history when many of the churches and people who call themselves Christian - are no more Biblical or worthy of the term Christian than a bootlace!!
Revelation 22:20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Amen!
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The better thing is just to take it to a higher court and running through that whole thing could take several years. It would have the city's attorney earn his money. 
frank: "
john uk
yes frank, you are right; there is sorrow and there is sorrow. i..."
