South Carolina: Another Town Illegally Endorsing Prayer

The city council of Anderson, South Carolina, has decided to let members who say prayers do so in a manner that promotes their religion - specifically by endorsing belief in Jesus Christ. A federal court has already ruled that sectarian prayers aren't constitutional, but the Anderson City Council doesn't seem to care very much.

The State reports:

City Attorney Frankie McClain told the council the policy complied with existing law.

Mike Cubelo, president of the Piedmont ACLU chapter, disagreed and said he was willing to help Upstate governments understand the law.

“Just because it’s tradition doesn’t mean it’s legal,” he said. “That’s the problem with cultures that have a majority ... they forget about other people around them who don’t share their religion.”

Some people place the rights of majorities over the rights of minorities — it appears that when one is part of a majority, it’s not necessary for the government to respect the rights of anyone else.

[Anderson Mayor Richard Shirley] has said he would resign if prevented from invoking Jesus’ name in a prayer before a council meeting.

Shirley said his goal was to preserve not only his right to “pray to Jesus Christ as my Savior, but to ensure that this diverse population just over the horizon has the same right to pray to God in their own way 10, 20 or 50 years from now. Praying a Christian prayer tonight was not exclusive. It was inclusive. I believe this to the depths of my soul.”

So, if Shirley can’t abuse the authority of his office by promoting his personal religion, he doesn’t want to be involved in government anymore? Sounds like he doesn’t regard the government as existing to serve all citizens — it’s only there for him and his fellow Christians. He also doesn’t seem to realize that his right to pray doesn’t mean that he has a right to pray while exercising official duties as mayor. His right to pray is a right he has as a private citizen so it applies when he acts as a private citizen, not when he acts as an officer of the state.

Finally, he is sincere in not understanding that Christian prayers are not even inclusive for all Christians, much less everyone of all religions — or no religion. The arrogance of this is astounding. As far as I can tell, Richard Shirley is unfit for any public office, much less mayor.

 

Quick Poll: Is it a appropriate for city councils to begin their meetings with prayers?

1. Yes, but only if they use a completely non-sectarian prayer that is inclusive of everyone's beliefs
2. Yes, even if they use a sectarian prayer only relevant to particular religious groups. If that's what the majority wants, then the majority should get it.
3. No. Completely inclusive prayers aren't possible and sectarian prayers mean the government is taking sides in religious disputes - and that violates the separation of church & state.
4. I don't know
5. I don't care

Click an option to vote, or View Current Poll Results

 

Read More:

• Separation of Church and State 101
• Church and State News
• Secularism 101