HENRICO, Va. —
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors has dropped the traditional prayer before its meetings.
At a June 12 meeting, the board took up the appeal of an approved plan of development for a mosque on Hungary Road. With dozens of Muslims in the packed meeting room, the Rev. Tommy Knighten, associate pastor for children and families at Staples Mill Road Baptist Church, delivered the invocation, closing with “in Christ’s name I pray.”
The next day, County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett received an email saying that such a prayer “at a government meeting that is set to determine the fate of a Muslim religious center serves no other purpose than to create an atmosphere of hostility.”
County Attorney Joseph P. Rapisarda Jr. declined to release the name of the email’s author.
The email went on to say, “It would sadden me greatly if I were to learn that Henrico County viewed me as less important due to my lack of membership in the ‘right’ group” and asked the board to stop having prayers at its meetings.
A few days later, Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard W. Glover received a letter from a staff attorney with the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation about the prayer at the June 12 meeting. The letter said government should not ask residents to participate in a Christian prayer or ask citizens “to show deference or obeisance to this ritual.”
Both the email and the letter referred to Joyner v. Forsyth County, N.C., a federal case in which the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that sectarian prayers at the North Carolina county’s board of commissioners meetings were unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court in January declined to review the ruling.
The 4th Circuit’s ruling said that “government advancement and effective endorsement of one faith carries a particular sting for citizens who hold devoutly to another.”
This week, before their meeting Tuesday, Henrico’s supervisors met in closed session to receive legal advice pertaining to the implications of Joyner v. Forsyth. That night, although the board meeting’s agenda included an invocation, there was no prayer.
Asked about the change, supervisors said that although they had not yet made a formal policy change, the consensus was that they would no longer start their meetings with prayer.
Elena and I called for this action several months ago here in Prince William County. It is only a matter of time. The Town of Dumfries has already stopped having organized prayer before their town council meetings. The reason is very simple. Not everyone worships the same deity.
Years ago when this practice started, most of the residents of Prince William County and Henrico County were Christian. Even though Christianity is still the majority religion, people of other faiths aren’t such a minority that that they can be brushed aside as an Other, and disregarded. It is like being made to feel irrelevant because you aren’t in the same club everyone else is.
There is absolutely no reason that there cannot be a minute of silence before each BOCS meeting. People of faith who feel the need to pray before the meetings are free to do so. (judging from some past meetings, it might be wise to pray to banish Satan) People who don’t feel the need for prayer at that particular time and place, can make a grocery list in their heads or chose their TV line up for later in the evening. It is all a matter of individual choice and no one has to feel like an Other.
I am unwilling to have government determine MY religious worship for even a couple of minutes. Prayer before a public government meeting is just inappropriate in a pluralistic society. What would it take to get the BOCS to change? Must we write the ACLU? How about the group mentioned in the Richmond times Dispatch? Would I be willing to do it? You betcha!
You know, if people need a reminder to act appropriately before a Board meeting, why not just put a Mezuzah up at the Chamber doors?
http://www.jewfaq.org/prayer/mezuzah.htm
So you never forget, whether you are in your home or outside your home, always follow the commandments.
Personally, I find the “need” to pray hyprocritical. So many decision are based on pride, personal glorification, and “payback” to developers or others, that I find it offensive to suggest any politicians actions are following “G-d”.
I am disappointed that some of our local contributors don’t have a response for this thread.
I would welcome someone telling me why they felt prayiung before a business meeting is important. Perhaps I have missed something.
I know I have said this many times before, when you the “other” it is very uncomfortable watching everyone bow while you wonder, do I look like a disrespectful heathen!
Invocations at any business meeting, by their nature, are supposed to “quiet the crowd” and highlight business at hand. In theroy, invoking the higher power to guide the deliberations at hand is the idea. In theroy, it adds dignity to the meeting by promoting a reflective atmosphere. Of course, it is never to be an opportunity for the individual giving it to proselytize.
Of course, tradition has it if you have an invocation, there should be a benediction.
But it is all tradition – invocations are optional by Robert’s Rules of Order (which for meetings is the traditional rule book) – “opening ceremonies may include an Invocation” is the phrase by ole Colonel Robert. But even in these rules, it is “God before Country” so the invocation should be before the Pledge. The “tippie-toe” around the issue of Establishment Clause is you put the prayer afterwards. At least that is the excuse I have heard.
Depending on your organization, having an invocation may be applicable such as one dedicated to service of their fellows such as Rotary or similar group. But it all really just boils down to our English Tradition of “God Save the King/Queen”
It really has no place before government meetings. Organizational meetings–uyp to the membership.
Anything particiaption is government has a religious caveat, there is a 1A violation, in my book.
50 years ago everyone could be bullied into being a good Christian and praying before the meeting. It was the same rule that kept little Catholics going to public school saying an “our Father” that was not their own. Who wants to stand up to Big Brother Protestant?
You pretend you like the club or suffer the consequences.
A moment of silence would perfectly fit the intention you have described then Ray. Thanks for the info!
Well, after reading this week’s BoS agenda. They are not only going to innovocation but the higher power right there with them. 👿 I’m still in SHOCK with the fact the Gypsy Moth & Mosquito people are getting an award. I can’t even water my flowers without getting eaten alive. I also, have not seen the Bug Man spraying a single time this summer. Has that somewhat effective program gone to the wayside?
@Elena
Wholeheartedly agree with you!
A moment of silence at the beginning of a meeting gives people
an opportunity to slow down and, hopefully, think.
A moment of silence works for me as well – don’t like having to listen to others’ religious spiels at public government functions.
The moment of silence…why? Bang the gavel, say the Pledge, and get on with the business of government. Anyone attending a government meeting (whether it be governing body or a board/committee/commission) is there because of their interest, and understand there are rules of decorum so why have a pause. And if they do not conduct themselves with proper decorum, they should be removed.
I don’t see a need either for an invocation or a moment of silence…a moment of silence is still nothing more than an act of prayer or worship. It can also indicate a moment for respect such as at a funeral or rememberance as used to occur at the 11th minute of the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – but what purpose does it serve at a government meeting? None.
Ray, I actually agree 100% with you about moment of silence. However, in the interest of compromise, I will not grouse over it. I certainly would have nothing if I were king for a day. I just don’t think it is necessary or appropriate.
People still strut their religion as a political asset. That is the only thing the prayer is for if you ask me. Even more reason to do away with it.
It quickly becomes hypcritical.
I agree also Ray, but going “cold turkey” may not be possible.
Clearly, in this country, there IS a religious test for office, we see it all the time on the news. Even Obama has been forced to “prove” his Christianity. I don’t WANT or CARE about someone elses religion. They are applying for a job, POTUS, their religion is not a part of their resume, period.
I agree, up to a point. I don’t want a snake handler in the White House, however. So I guess I can’t say unequivocally that I don’t care.
I too agree with Ray and Elena especially on the “cold turkey” part. The way I feel if they need a moment with their “higher power”, take it before you enter the chambers in privat and unto themselves. I would like to think they’ve taken the time to think, pray, or what ever before they’ve come to the meeting.
I must agree with moon on the ~~~~~~~:< handlers.
O.K., upon further reflection, I guess to a certain extent I would care if someone did not believe in evolution due to their religion. For me, that is a non belief in science more than it is a belief in religion, but both may coincide!
Yea I think I have to walk that one back. Given the nature of politics and religion, I guess it does matter to me. I could not vote for someone for office who didn’t believe in the evolution process. I could like them but I couldn’t vote for them, if that makes sense. I also could not vote for someone who was a pacifist as part of their religion. There are times that unfortunately, we have to go to war. I would never want someone in an elected office who, because of religious conviction, wouldn’t allow us to defend ourselves.