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First prayer under new council policy was secular

By Maggie Creamer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 4, 2009 9:30 PM PST

David Diskin, founder of Lodi United, gave the first invocation or Call to Responsibility since the council approved its new policy allowing anyone to participate.

Diskin, who is an atheist, asked at the council's Wednesday meeting that people participate in their community by volunteering and helping others. The council and most people in the audience crossed their hands and bowed their heads or looked at Diskin.

"What I hope to 'invoke' tonight is the sense of community that ties us all together — the brotherhood or fellowship that allows individuals to look beyond their personal gain, beyond their beliefs, beyond their past, and to take action that supports the greater good," Diskin said during the Call to Civic Responsibility.

Lodi United opposed having any invocations and instead suggested the city remove the item completely or have a moment of silence. But after the council approved a new policy that allowed those who are not religious to give a Call to Civic Responsibility, Diskin said he'd be honored to participate.

The policy also expanded the invocation or Call to Civic Responsibility to be uncensored as long as it does not attempt to convert anyone attending the meeting, advocate a political agenda or assert the "accuracy, inaccuracy or primacy of any religious belief or lack thereof."

For the full story, please see Thursday's News-Sentinel.

Reader Feedback

davidd wrote on Nov 4, 2009 9:55 PM:

" The full address from tonight is available at www.LodiUnited.org. "

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