Members of the Freedom From Prayer Foundation are pressuring commission members to drop their prayers in favor of a moment of silence. During the June 5 meeting they were told by two attendees that the county commission will face a lawsuit if they do not comply.
During that meeting county attorney Rheuben Taylor opened with prayer and concluded with the words "... in Jesus' name." Many believe that the foundation is more concerned with this phrase than they are with the prayer itself.
When asked if this action would preclude the Ringgold City Council from beginning its sessions with prayer, mayor Joe Barger said, "I do not know at this time. I haven't spoken to any of the other council members about this issue and, personally, I do not have an opinion at this time."
He continued, "At least three or four times I have had a moment of silent prayer. At our last session I asked for a silent prayer in memory of our deceased vets because I felt it was appropriate.
"I don't do this because of the pressure from political or outside organizations, definitely not. I will at times continue to have silent prayers as is appropriate."
When asked if this action would make the Fort Oglethorpe City Council take a look at opening its sessions with prayer, council member Johnny "Red" Smith replied, "No — a big no. As God's servant, which I am, it doesn't bother me at all.
"I have absolutely no problem with prayer," he continued. "I do it every day.
According to Fort Oglethorpe mayor Lynn Long, "We're a Christian nation and hopefully we will remain a Christian nation. We will continue to pray until the courts tell us otherwise."
The first Amendment actually reads.....
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Look up "Church of England" That is what the constitution protects us from. A state sponsored church with a politican as the head of that church.
It states clearly that -- Congress shall make no law prohibiting the free exercise of religion.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation is dead wrong. They have the freedom to accept or deny religion. They do not have the constitutional right to make that decision for anyone else, not for a politican, not for anyone.
Like I'm asked to do when a tv program offends me...turn the station, when prayer is said, if you're not a believer, do not bow your head and join in.