eChurch Blog

The reports that the National Secular Society is taking a North Devon council to court in an attempt to outlaw the practice of prayer before council meetings, is the most notable Christian related ‘news’ currently.

Although this most certainly appears vindictive and petty, before we get too het up and give the NSS further impetus and exposure, let’s take time to prayerfully consider:

CrossWalk – Muslim Extremists Execute a Somali Christian

Catholic.Net – MOSUL, Iraq, MAY 3, 2010 – Four people were killed and 171 were wounded Sunday when a bus convoy carrying Christian students to the University of Mosul was attacked.

CNS – Iraq’s embattled Christian minority came under attack again on Sunday, when a double bombing near the northern city of Mosul targeted a convoy of buses carrying Christian students, injuring scores of them.

Telegraph:

The National Secular Society (NSS) is taking a council in North Devon to court for a judicial review of the time-honoured practice which is shared by at least 118 councils around the country.

Christian groups have branded the move an attack by “aggressive atheists.”

The majority of councils currently opt to start meetings with a Christian prayer, while a handful open with prayers from other faiths.

The NSS has hired Beachcroft, the leading legal firm, to launch the judicial review against Bideford Town Council, which has begun its meetings with prayers since the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.

The atheist group argues that the prayers breach Article 9 of the Human Rights Act, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience and religion for non-believers.

Keith Porteous Wood, executive director of the NSS, said: “If members of councils wish to pray before their meeting they can do it, preferably in another room. We’ve no problem with that. We’re not infringing anyone’s right to worship.”

George McLauchlan, the town clerk, said: “I don’t know why they have singled out Bideford. This is a national matter, not just a local matter.”

Andrea Williams, of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Religious freedom should be respected. In a free and civilised society, councils and public bodies should be free to open meetings with prayer.”

Prayers at council meetings elsewhere in the country range from an elaborate opening ceremony at Boston Council in Lincolnshire, to the three word Latin prayer, Domine Dirige Nos – meaning ‘God guide us’ – at the City of London.

Tameside Council in Greater Manchester, Harrow Council in north London and Leicester Council are among 118 others which hold prayers before meetings.

Further Link:

Political Correctness – Thou shalt not pray: Atheists’ bid to ban prayers before British council meetings – because they breach ‘human rights’ of non-believers

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Tags: Law Moral Ethical, News, Religion Society

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