Lodi Letdown: Calif. City Votes To Continue Official Prayers
October 1, 2009

Rob Boston — Americans United

As the face of American religion changes, it’s bound to have implications for public policy. All units of government will need to find ways to include everyone, regardless of what they believe or don’t believe about God.

City officials in Lodi, Calif., recently faced an early test on this issue. Unfortunately, they flunked it.

Like a lot of communities around the country, Lodi City Council often opens its meetings with a prayer. Many pastors would pray “in Jesus’ name,” despite a council policy that called for “non-denominational and non-sectarian” prayer.

In May, the Freedom From Religion Foundation in Wisconsin warned the council to stop using sectarian prayers and raised the possibility of a lawsuit.

The council announced it would take some time to study the issue. The matter quickly became a magnet for controversy. Gordon James Klingenschmitt, a third-tier Religious Right blowhard based in Colorado, began agitating over the issue and even promised to erect billboards attacking council members who voted for a moment of silence or non-sectarian prayer.

Community residents who support church-state separation pulled together a much more reasonable response. City resident David Diskin formed Lodi United, a group of believers and non-believers who joined forces to support separation of church and state.

Lodi United proposed a sensible compromise: The council should adopt a moment of silence before its meetings. “We believe that all Lodi residents should feel welcome at city council meetings,” reads the group’s Web site. “You can likely sympathize with those who feel uncomfortable when a prayer of a different denomination is given. Sectarian prayer can divide a community and make minorities feel unwanted.”

Lodi United organized at the local level, educated the population, held rallies and even started a Facebook page. It was an impressive example of community-based activism, but sadly, it was not enough. The council met last night and voted 5-0 to allow religious leaders to use sectarian prayer.

Council members said that the new policy, which is yet to be drafted, will encourage many different types of religious leaders to recite prayers and will also include non-religious people, who will be given an opportunity to present a “Call to Civic Responsibility.”

My guess is that most of the prayers will still be Christian, and on those few occasions when they are not, I’m sure fundamentalists will raise a fuss. The new proposal only muddies the water and ensures that Lodi will continue squabbling over this issue. The matter might even end up in court.

[…]

Original Article

Turlock puts ‘trust in God’
October 1, 2009

Patty Guerra — The Sacramento Bee

“This community is one that was built on faith and trust in God,” said Dan Blank. “We were fortunate tonight to have a word of prayer to begin this meeting. … We appreciate what you do, but we appreciate even more our Father in heaven.”

The council unanimously passed a resolution that allows for invocations before the opening of meetings despite an appeal from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, which sent a letter to the city last month asking the council to halt the practice, calling such prayers “unnecessary, inappropriate and divisive.”

The foundation sent letters to other cities as well; Lodi has scheduled a public hearing later this month.

David Diskin of Lodi, like several other speakers, asked the council to implement a moment of silence instead.

“Our goal in Lodi is to show the City Council that they have an opportunity to show that the city is one of tolerance,” he said. He warned the council that the city is likely to face a lawsuit because of the vote to allow invocations.

Susan Robinson, who said she is an atheist, warned the council that a policy allowing invocations opens the city up to prayers from “Scientologists, secular humanists, pagans and even Satanists.”

If that sounds unappealing to the council, she said, “You should understand how nonbelievers find invocations.”

In a comment met with gasps from the audience of about 150, Robinson said that she could find passages in the Bible that show God in a poor light: “We have a hard time understanding how anyone can worship such an evil character.”

Council members said they believe the resolution, which calls for the invocation before the business of the meeting gets under way, does not create divisiveness. Most of the council members said they appreciated everyone who came forward and expressed different beliefs.

Councilman Ted Howze was more blunt:

“If you’re an atheist, if you don’t believe in a God, you should have a good time laughing at our foolishness,” he said. He said he hopes the Freedom From Religion Foundation will “respect Turlock and go away in peace when this is over.”

Mayor John Lazar said of those who addressed the council:

“I hope you feel this is a place you can come and share your thoughts without intimidation.” He said Turlock was founded on faith and expressed hope the council can “continue to reach out to all people. God bless you all.”

In a related item, the council delayed action on a proposal by Councilman Kurt Spycher to paint “In God We Trust” on the wall behind the council dais.

[…]

The council also unanimously approved an ordinance updating mobile vendor regulations. Vendors such as taco trucks will have to renew their permits each year; the new law also will regulate such attributes as canopies and tables.

Original Article

Tracy clarifies prayer policy
September 17, 2009

Jennie Rodriguez — Recordnet.com

For years, City Council meetings have started with a prayer traditionally performed by a Christian leader. The prayers usually invoke the name of Jesus Christ.

This week, the city will send letters to Tracy’s 65 churches of all faiths clarifying its policy on inclusive prayers. The council is responding to a national organization that fights for the separation of church and state.

Participating Tracy churches will receive a letter that encourages prayers to be “accessible” to people of various backgrounds and faiths, while other congregations will receive a letter also inviting them to take part in the invocation tradition.

The city took action after receiving a notice from the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, urging the council to discontinue invocations that reference Christianity.

The foundation’s letter to Tracy is one in a series to city halls across the nation that hold invocations with specific religious references.

Lodi also has been warned by the organization.

[…]

Other cities in California that have received letters are Turlock and Tehachapi.

In Tracy, prayerful invocations have “been a long tradition,” City Attorney Daniel Sodergren said Tuesday.

“Right now, we’re not recommending any changes to the policy,” Sodergren said. But he recommended that the city make clear its existing rules which support broader approaches to prayer.

With only one person speaking out against the adjustment, council members on Tuesday unanimously voted to move forward with a plan to promote such prayers.

Original Article

Pray in Jesus Name Org. Scores Victory in City Council Vote
October 2, 2009

The Church Report — The Church Report

The conflict in town of Lodi began in May when the city council went through their usual prayer before their meeting. During that meeting, a spectator in the audience took exception to the prayer and complained to the Freedom from Religion Foundation. It was shortly thereafter, that the complaint reached City Hall in Lodi.

After hours of public debate on Wednesday evening, attended by more than 800 people, the council voted between several options: eliminating prayer entirely, changing the prayer to a moment of silence, keeping the non denominational prayer with “strong enforcement” or allowing “full uncensored prayer.” Ultimately, the vote was a unanimous 5-0 in favor of allowing uncensored prayer.

However, this victory for prayer was not without tumult or fierce battles from both sides of the issue. Throughout the last several months, groups from both sides, including the Freedom from Religion Foundation and the vocal, Pray in Jesus Name organization, lead by former Navy Chaplain James Klingenschmitt, had rallied their supporters in an effort to gain the council votes needed.

The Pray in Jesus Name organization was said to have been prepared to publicly out Mayor Hansen of Lodi on his “No” vote. According to Klingenschmitt, “secret emails” were obtained and the group had learned of Hansen’s “no “vote in advance of the Wednesday meeting. Pray in Jesus Name was prepared to post billboards throughout the town stating Hansen’s vote and thus damage him in an upcoming election.

While this tactic was never initiated, Klingenschmitt said, “Although the Mayor complained of our plan, and called us un-Christian names, we’re grateful for his change of heart, whatever his reasons, he voted for Jesus and free-speech in the end. Perhaps the success of our billboard plan proves Ronald Reagan’s adage: ‘When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.'”

Following the conclusion of the unanimous vote, councilwoman Susan Hitchcock said that the council listened to the people of Lodi and was not concerned about a lawsuit.

[…]

David Diskin, a representative for Lodi United, a group seeking to ban all prayer in the council, said, “If they continue to invoke these specific deities and mentioning “Jesus” name, then there is the likelihood that we will continue this issue and that there might be a lawsuit.”

Finally, Chaplain Klingenschmitt, took a moment to give thanks and encourage other like those in Lodi who stood up for prayer by saying, “this victory should inspire legislators across America, that 85% of polled voters want you to allow public prayers ‘in Jesus name,’ even in public venues,” don’t cave-in to empty threats of lawsuits by atheist complainers. Christian voters will rally to support you, and Jesus is not an illegal word!”

Original Article

California City Council OKs Prayers in Jesus’ Name
October 2, 2009

Adrienne S. Gaines — Charisma News

The 5 – 0 vote reverses a policy instituted in May that required all prayers to be “non-sectarian and non-denominational.”

The council is developing a new prayer policy allowing uncensored invocations that avoid favoring any religion. The policy also would encourage participation by representatives from diverse religious and nonreligious groups, the Lodi News-Sentinel reported.

(Photo: Former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, founder of the Pray In Jesus Name Project)

The case stems from a letter the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent the council in May complaining about its practice of opening meetings with prayers that invoked the name of Jesus. The atheist organization said the prayers “lead a reasonable observer to believe that the Council is endorsing not only religion over nonreligion but also Christianity over other faiths.”

The council instituted a ban on sectarian prayer, which resulted in protests, rallies and an online petition arguing that ban on prayer in Jesus’ name was unconstitutional. The petition, organized by the Pray In Jesus Name Project, generated thousands of signatures.

On Wednesday, more than 700 Lodi residents packed the auditorium for a public hearing on the issue. Some advocated a moment of silence. Others called for a total ban on prayers, while others supported prayers in Jesus’ name.

During the hearing, former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, founder of the Pray In Jesus Name Project, advocated for allowing not only Christian prayers but also atheist, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist invocations.

He called the vote a victory for free speech. “This victory should inspire legislators across America that 85 percent of polled voters want you to allow public prayers in Jesus’ name, even in public venues,” Klingenschmitt said in a statement. “Don’t cave-in to empty threats of lawsuits by atheist complainers. Christian voters will rally to support you, and Jesus is not an illegal word.”

The Lodi City Council decision follows votes in three other California cities – Tehachapi, Tracy, and Turlock – to allow uncensored prayers. All three cities received letters from the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Despite the revised policy in Lodi, Freedom From Religion Foundation co-founder Annie Gaylor said her group will likely sue Lodi or one of the other three California cities over their prayer policies.

[…]

She said before filing her group will watch the invocations under the new Lodi policy. It will also monitor the other cities to see which would make the best test case.

Original Article

Lodi may be headed for prayer lawsuit
October 2, 2009

Maggie Creamer — Lodi News-Sentinel

“We’ll see how it pans out and probably will have to sue because there is widespread disrespect for the law in the state of California,” said Annie Gaylor, co-founder of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

Her comments come after the council decided to broaden its prayer policy to allow religious leaders to offer uncensored prayers, so Christian leaders will be able to say “Jesus Christ.”

The council made some other changes and additions to the prayer policy:

— Invocations will be given before the meeting is called to order. Previously, the prayers happened after the meeting had been called to order and before the Pledge of Allegiance.

— The council will actively encourage all religious traditions within Lodi to give invocations. The city expanded this to include religious leaders who have to travel outside of Lodi to attend a place of worship like members of the Sikh or Jewish religions.

— Non-religious groups will have the opportunity to give a Call to Civic Responsibility.

— The council will continue to not allow invocations that seek to convert or demean a particular religious belief or lack thereof.

— The prayer will remain on the agenda, but there will also be a disclaimer saying the invocation is an acknowledgment of diverse religious traditions and is not an endorsement of any religion or belief.

The previous policy restricted prayer to “non-sectarian and nondenominational,” but many religious leaders still said “Jesus Christ.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which is based in Madison, Wis., filed a letter to the city asking it enforce its own policy and eliminate references to Jesus.

Before filing a suit on the new policy, the foundation will watch the invocations under the new policy, Gaylor said.

She said the foundation will monitor the other cities in California the group has challenged — Tracy, Turlock and Tehachapi — to see what would be the best test case.

She is disappointed the council gave in to religious pressure, and hopes someday there will be a consequence for government leaders who push religion.

“There are no penalties for councilmembers,” Gaylor said. “Public officials should have to answer for this instead of gambling with taxpayers’ dollars.”

But Century Assembly Pastor Dale Edwards said he is confident that allowing uncensored prayer will include all faiths while not restricting freedom of speech.

“I think that it allowed uncensored prayer for those of all faiths to be able to participate. For those of no faith, there was an allowance for them as well, and puts everyone on an equal playing field,” Edwards said.

Edwards said he understands that the city might have to go to court over the decision, but also said there are many issues people will file lawsuits on. He believe it is courageous that the council took a stand.

“There is no guarantee that we are going to live in this country and someone is not going to be offended. … We’ve lost civil liberties already. This is as far as we have to go,” he said.

The city attorney’s office will now draft a policy allowing uncensored prayer, and the council will vote on it at a future meeting.

The policy the council decided on Wednesday night will allow leaders to make religious references as long as they are not proselytizing.

Gaylor said opening the prayers up to anyone will be interesting because the council might become disenchanted with its own policy. She said the council might consider changing its policy after someone comes in and says the council can only be ethical if it doesn’t believe in a God or says Allah should be worshipped as the only prophet.

Lodi United founder David Diskin said he wishes the city would have eliminated prayers before the meeting and gone to a moment of silence, but he will respect the council’s decision. He said he would be honored to give a speech before the council meeting even though he is an atheist.

“We respect it, but we would have wished they would have opted for an option that eliminates the prayer, but instead lets them pray silently,” Diskin said.

His group will still be watching the invocations to see if the city is opening it up to a variety of faiths, and to make sure they do not cross legal parameters.

[…]

After hearing the council will continue prayer, Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt said he was celebrating. Klingenschmitt founded The Pray in Jesus Name Project, which organized a prayer rally in August and has been encouraging Lodi to allow uncensored prayer.

“It’s a testament to the faithfulness of Jesus Christ,” he said. “God has answered our prayers. There were people who did a lot of things, but all the credit goes to Jesus.”

He sent an e-mail to media outlets on Thursday saying it was “remarkable” timing that Mayor Larry Hansen voted for uncensored prayer after saying previously he supported non-denominational prayer. He attributes this switch in part to his press release saying he would post council votes on prayer on billboards on Highway 99 and Interstate 5.

“But Mayor Hansen, up for re-election next year, suddenly sees the light … ” Klingenschmitt wrote in reference to the billboards.

But Hansen vehemently denies the billboard threat had anything to do with his decision. He said he has been researching the issue and met with many members of the local clergy to come up with the best solution.

[…]

Original Article

Tehachapi latest city to have ‘Jesus’ under further review
September 23, 2009

Alex Murashko — Examiner

The Tehachapi City Council is the latest California governing board to respond to a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation that requests the practice of “endorsing” a particular faith in its invocations end.

Other city councils that have received the letters, which threaten legal action, include councils in the cities of Lodi, Turlock, Tracy, and Lancaster.

For the past six months, Tehachapi City Council meetings began with a prayer, but at the council’s meeting on Sept. 8, the first since receiving the letter from the atheists group, there was no prayer, instead the Pledge of Allegiance.

A portion of the letter reads, “The prayers currently given during the Council meeting impermissibly advance Christianity and lead a reasonable observer to believe that the Council is endorsing not only religion over non religion, but also Christianity over other faiths.”

[…]

Leading the nationwide charge against the effort to exclude prayer before city council meetings has been former Navy Chaplain Gordon Kligenschmitt. His online campaign helped bring 400 supporters to the steps of Lodi City Hall for a prayer rally. The Lodi City Council is scheduled to address the issue again at its meeting on Sept. 30.

Klingenschmitt has an online petition to be sent to the Tehachapi City Council that in part reads:

We the undersigned, respectfully petition you to defend religious freedom by allowing visiting pastors of all diverse faiths and denominations, to pray aloud publicly according to the dictates of their own conscience, at or before city council meetings, even if they dare to pray aloud publicly “in Jesus name” or invoke their own specific deity.

Please do not cave-in to atheist intimidation by the enemies of religious liberty, including Americans United and the Freedom From Religion Foundation, who are threatening to sue to silence all prayers…

Kligenschmitt has been repeating a similar refrain for each campaign on his Pray in Jesus Name Project Website:

Jesus is not an illegal word, the Bible is not a banned book, and evangelistic speech is not a crime.

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Original Article