Should city councils hold prayers before each city council meeting? Why or why not?

Question

To pray or not?

http://www.southidahopress.com/articles/2008/03/05/news/local/9621prayer.txt

Answer 1

No.  There should be a clearly defined separation of church and state.

Answer 2

I dont think they do---In China! If it offends, try living there.

Answer 3

Sure, why not?

Answer 4

This is a Christian nation.  Why not?

Answer 5

I think the answer for those who have read and understand the Constitution and "freedom of religion"  would know the answer. NO. There are those who know, but feel that because they are in the majority religion that the First ammendment to the Constitution does not apply to them. What if they were to find themselves in the minority? I believe that then it would be a "nobrainer". I find it interesting that it is these very people who tell US citizens who do not want to participate in the majority religion that they can leave this fine land. I have Ancestry that includes Native American and Original Patriots who fought for this Constitution. I have the right to be here and to have the Law of this Land enforced. I have the right to not be called a second class citizen because I do not believe in your God. I have the right to participate in civic affairs without religion, yours or mine, involved. Religion is for religious community and private affairs. I as a proud Patriot, will fight and die for your right to practice a religion I disagree with. But don't force me to participate in it.

I want to live in a nation where our laws are Universally based on our fine Constitution and not on Bibles, Korans or other holy books. Those books have their lands run by them, but they are not MY land: the United States of America, where our founders believed that freedom of religion was so important that they let it share the FIRST ammendment with freedom of speech.

Answer 6

No.

Not everyone has the same beliefs - it's why the separation of church and state is so critical.

If there are people who want to say a prayer before the publicly funded meeting starts, they should get together -

outside of the government building - to pray.

This whole leaning toward religion can only lead to supporting a particular religion - and then it is a down hill slope.

Answer 7

No, this is America for one thing.  Why do they need to use their elected office and public position to pray?  They have plenty of time in their personal lives for their religious beliefs and I doubt that all of their constituents believe the same things as they do.  Unless you think Iran and Saudi Arabia have a good thing going, religion and government should stay seperate.