Philomath council sends inclusivity proclamation back to committee after debate over proposed religious language

The Philomath City Council debated an amendment to its annual inclusivity proclamation on Monday after Councilor Caseman proposed adding religious language.

Councilor Caseman moved to insert the phrase "because they are made in the image of God" into the proclamation’s second whereas clause. "I would recommend we add because they are made in the image of God," Caseman said during discussion. The motion drew immediate discussion from several councilors concerned about the separation of religion and government and how the language might affect residents who do not share that belief.

Councilor Crocker, while saying she personally believes the sentiment, warned the council that government should remain secular in its official statements. "I also believe that government and religion should be separated," Crocker said. Other councilors suggested alternative, less doctrinal phrasing such as a reference to a "higher being" or language that would be broadly acceptable to interfaith and nonfaith residents.

Rather than vote on the amendment, Mayor McMoran moved — and Councilor Andrade seconded — to send resolution 25-09 back to the inclusivity committee for further consideration of the suggested language. The council then voted by voice/raise and the motion to refer the resolution to committee carried (voice count indicated unanimous support to refer).

Council members also noted a minor governance tweak to the proclamation’s renewal wording so the statement asks the next council to review it the following June rather than binding future councils "for all time." The council asked the inclusivity committee to consider suggested phrasing and return with recommended language.

The referral leaves the proclamation unchanged for now while giving the committee time to draft language that balances civic inclusiveness with concerns about official religious phrasing.