Prayers row reaches North Devon Council
North Devon Council has been accused of intimidation and discrimination — because it begins meetings with prayers.
The authority has been asked to scrap the prayers by a member of the public.
-
The complainant — who has not been identified by the council — says he or she finds prayers and religious ceremonies offensive.
In the letter the complainant says: "Where possible I avoid all religious ceremonies and it is intimidating to be forced to listen to prayers in order to exercise my right to attend meetings of the council."
Councillors meeting on Wednesday will consider whether prayers should continue to be said at meetings.
In the agenda for the meeting the council has published the views of several councillors consulted on the issue. None are identfied by name.
They show strong support for continuing with prayers.
One councillor said: "I feel very incensed regarding someone trying to stop me from focussing my thoughts so as to do the best in a Godly light for our own in north Devon."
Another responded: "As a Christian I feel threatened, intimidated and discriminated against by the views voiced in this letter. I would have no problem is prayers of other faiths were said alongside the Christian prayers."
Another councillor says the complainant sounds like "a career campaigner against all things religious" and suggests: "Have you Googled his/her name to see what show up?"
The council's assistant chief executive Don Pratt has suggested that the agendas for future council meetings should have the word Prayers before the word Agenda — to make clear that prayers precede the meeting and are not part of it.
● A complaint about prayers at Bideford Town Council meetings has been referred to the Standards Board for England.
10 Comments
View all
by Philip, South Molton, South Molton
Sunday, November 23 2008, 1:03PM
“I am disgusted and appalled to read of the vitriolic campaign being waged by the Humanist Society to prevent the holding of prayers before North Devon District Council meetings.
However, I'm not at all surprised. We're living in a militant secular age, and the mood of certain groups is, as it always has been, to destroy any form of Christian faith in this country. All of us who worship our Lord God are called to resist these overt attacks and ensure that we are able to continue the witness to our Christian heritage. God will not be insulted in this way!”
by John, Hampshire
Thursday, November 20 2008, 9:15AM
“Surely, group prayer assumes that everyone participating is a believer and of the same faith. As this is unlikely, and not advisable, for a group representing a large society then the practice should stop.
Prayer is a private thing and should be kept within the home or the church/place of worship for that individual.”
by Steve O, London
Monday, November 17 2008, 11:41AM
“In the interests of equality to all faiths represented in Devon, there should be a prayer for every faith. This may take up so much time that nothing else gets done, but at least it will be fair and help the anonymous Councillor make the right decisions in multiple Godly lights.”
by Chris B, Oxford
Sunday, November 16 2008, 3:11PM
“It is unbelievable that in this day and age therd are still people willing to pray in public. Do voters know the mental state of their local councillers? Carrying out religious rituals before a state meeting is bizare and intimidating. I hope there were no children present.”
by Jon, Bideford
Friday, November 14 2008, 11:01AM
“If people wish to pray to a mythical being then let them as long as they don't force others to join in it's their time they are wasting. If not wishing to indulge in the fantasy of chatting to this mythical creature then take the time to do the shopping list or read the agenda or any handouts.”