Threatened lawsuit over prayer a distraction, but perhaps we can be even more diverse

The Freedom From Religion Foundation of Wisconsin is running to free our City Council meetings from the Christians.

As if the city of Lodi has nothing more to do in the middle of a budget crisis than fight a lawsuit over the fine points of church-state separation.

Of course, this is an unnecessary distraction and an interference by a group of out-of-state extremists in local government — aided by an anonymous local complainant.

But could the council have done better?

What's so hard about making sure someone from the Buddhist church, the Sikh or Jewish temples, or the mosque offers the invocation now and again?

Do we always have to hire lawyers to settle every point of principle?

— The Lodi News-Sentinel

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accountable wrote on Jun 4, 2009 12:38 AM:

" With the lies our City Council can just blurt out at a council meeting and think nothing of it. Then go home and lay their head on the pillow and go to sleep thinking and believing they have done nothing wrong.

Someone needs to prey for these people we have elected into office. "

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Gator wrote on Jun 3, 2009 1:26 PM:

" One would guess they thought the Lodi City Council is a softer Target than the US Senate and Congress… "

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new2cali wrote on Jun 2, 2009 8:38 AM:

" As a believer, and a prayer, I am glad they do still pray before each meeting. Most know the power behind group prayer, I do realize that some don't. If they do decide to stop because an out of state group of people have spoken out about it, maybe we should invite them to one of meetings. They might change their mind and decide that we might need a little extra something for our town!!! I would like to say that if it does offend you that someone says a prayer, I'm sorry, but it offends me that we are told to stop. The solution is not to take it away, but don't take part. Listen to your ipod, text message someone, or don't go until after its said. Simply just wait patiently. You do not have to take part in it. Thats your freedom. Our freedom is to say it. Case closed. "

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educator wrote on Jun 1, 2009 2:52 PM:

" I really don't care whether or not there are prayers at the CC Meetings. However, I think that it is very frightening that a few individuals from across the country can threaten a lawsuit and affect change in our community. We are losing our freedoms little by little, and no one seems to notice. "

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Stella wrote on Jun 1, 2009 7:09 AM:

" Prayer at a city council meaning demeans the meaning of prayer for all religious people. "Dear God, please give me the strength to deny this zoning variance"? Councilmembers, if you really feel that you need to invoke your maker in order to do your job, do it in your car on your way to the meeting. "

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davidd wrote on May 31, 2009 2:50 PM:

" You're absolutely right. The City Council could make this whole thing go away instantly if they just drop the invocations altogether.

Think of the time it would save, in both the meetings themselves and whoever does the scheduling.

And anyone who takes offence to the change will have a taste of how it feels to be a non-Christian or non-believer sitting through one of these invocations. "

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yeah you wrote on May 31, 2009 11:27 AM:

" The LNS is calling the U.S. Supreme Court extremists! Why don't they just say we get to pick and choose what laws we'll abide by? "

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dogbark wrote on May 30, 2009 8:49 PM:

" Even the Boy Scouts have this problem when there is a call for a non-denominational prayer at a camporee. Since the parson who accepts the invitation knows it is to be non-denominational isn't it sinful for him or her to ignore that request and spout out the name of their savior? If they can't pray inclusively, then don't accept the invitation. "

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wtf wrote on May 30, 2009 11:39 AM:

" Here! Here! LNS...my thoughts exactly. But rather than offering up invocation prayers from other religions just "now and again" why not have them on a rotating basis...providing they're willing?

I don't think God would mind. LOL! The idea is "spirituality" rather than dogma or religion, and if you see God as the top of the mountain, then Judaism, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc. are all the different roads that lead to the top.

Different paths....same goal. "

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