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Freedom From Religion Foundation letter prompts commissioners to defend prayer practice
Summary
A reader delivered a Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) complaint alleging constitutional violations from government-led prayers; several commissioners responded that the county will continue opening meetings with prayer.
A reader on behalf of the Freedom From Religion Foundation asked the Onslow County Board of Commissioners on Sept. 3 to stop opening meetings with government-led Christian prayers, saying the practice violates the First Amendment’s establishment clause and urging the county to discontinue invocations.
Ari Rakowitz read a letter from FFRF staff attorney Samantha Lawrence that argued the county’s practice creates coercion and favors Christianity. The letter cited U.S. Supreme Court and federal appellate decisions and asked the board to notify FFRF in writing about steps the board takes to resolve the matter.
Commissioners responded during their comment period. Commissioner Tony Padgett (referred to in the meeting as Commissioner Padgett) said the board will continue to open meetings with prayer. Other commissioners, including the vice chairman, defended the county’s practice and said the prayer is not coercive because the public is not asked to participate; the board also noted attorneys have reviewed the prayers they use.
Why it matters: The FFRF complaint raises constitutional concerns that have been litigated around the country. The issue matters locally because it pertains to the board’s public-meeting procedures and the rights of religiously unaffiliated residents who attend county meetings.
Details from the letter: The FFRF letter, read to the board, referenced Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014), Engel v. Vitale (1962), Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe and several federal appellate decisions addressing government-led or sectarian prayers in local government settings. The reader urged the county to stop government officials from leading prayers and to keep invocations neutral or discontinue them.
The board did not take formal action to change meeting practice on Sept. 3.
