High Court set to rule on council prayers
UPDATE: High Court rules Bideford Town Council prayers unlawful
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The High Court is set to rule on whether a Devon council was acting unlawfully by including the saying of religious prayers on meeting agendas.
The National Secular Society (NSS) is challenging the practice observed by Bideford Town Council and many other local authorities up and down the country.
Society officials argue in the Bideford test case that the religious ritual is “inappropriate” in what should be “a secular environment concerned with civic business”.
David Wolfe, for the society, told Mr Justice Ouseley at a hearing in December: “We say the conduct of holding prayers within the formal part of the meeting is an unlawful practice.”
There was no justification, and council members who were not religious were being “indirectly discriminated against”.
Insisting on prayers breached articles 9 and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protect an individual’s right to freedom of conscience and not to face discrimination, argued Mr Wolfe.
NSS president Terry Sanderson said that in a multi-faith society, it was not just Christian prayer but religious prayer generally that was a cause for concern.
He said: “We think it would be much better if people keep their prayers private and away from the council chamber so that everyone can participate in the democratic process without embarrassment or causing aggravation to members of other religions, or of none.”
The legal challenge was launched in July 2010 after the society was contacted by Clive Bone – a non-believer who was then a Bideford councillor. Mr Bone later left the council because of its “refusal to adjust” its prayer policy.
Related:
High Court rules Bideford Town Council prayers unlawful
DISCUSSION: Do you agree with the ruling? Share your thoughts
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3 Comments
by accom
Friday, February 10 2012, 11:07PM
“I haven't heard the result yet, but I predict that the High Court will rule that although the prayers do not breach anyone's human rights, they are incompatible with the Local Government Act 1972; and just because the council has voted twice to keep prayers, it does not mean they have the power to do so. As I said, have no idea how it actually went, this was just a guess, so we'll see what happens.”
by JohnnyDale
Friday, February 10 2012, 10:28AM
“Good decision from the High Court. It seems we're not still living in the dark ages after all.”
by Red_Diesel
Friday, February 10 2012, 10:21AM
“Yes. The Council should be allowed to say prayers.
Council chair: Lord we pray to give us guidance on weekly or fortnightly bin collections.
The Lord: Child, page 7, para 4, of the Conservative Party manifesto says weekly collections. OK?”