Prayer at Oakland Township Board Meeting Hits a Nerve

The American Civil Liberties Union recently objected to the invocation of Jesus' name during a prayer before an Oakland Township Board meeting, touching off a flurry of impassioned responses from Patch readers.

Some cited the ACLU's letter of objection as evidence of moral decay in the United States, while others argued the prayer's wording violated the tenet of separation of church and state.

A YouTube video of the Nov. 27 meeting shows Trustee Judy Keyes delivering the prayer, in which she stated, "We ask that you guide us Lord to search for what is right, what is good and to always seek the truth. We ask for your blessings on everybody in this room and all of Oakland Township. In Jesus’ name I pray – amen.”

Here's a sampling of the dozens of comments Patch readers posted about the issue.

• Jody Newsome: "I think it is a tragedy that God is being taken out of schools and government. Our country will only go down hill from here. If your not with God, your with Satan ... there is NO middle ground."
• Theodore Davis: "It is a sad day when you have to consult an attorney after reciting a prayer. The ACLU has caused more problems than it has resolved."
• Joshua Raymond: "The Supreme Court already ruled this constitutional in Marsh v. Chambers. If Oakland Township wants to make sure they are absolutely in compliance, they can hire a chaplain to say the prayer before each meeting."
• Andrew Bayley: "This is what churches are for. I don't want to hear it, not at all. We are not a Christian nation. We have never been a Christian nation. We will never become a Christian nation. We are (supposed to be) a secular nation! If anyone would like to see a non-secular government, I'll gladly purchase the one way ticket to Tehran so they can experience it first hand."
• Joshua Raymond: "If the ACLU really believes they can win a court case about this, let them sue the U.S. Congress, which opens each day with prayer."

Dale Murrish, a Patch blogger, felt so strongly that he was inspired to write the post "American Religious Liberty Under Attack."

The report also prompted more than 20 comments on the Rochester Patch Facebook page, including the following.

• Timothy Maurer: "Not surprising. They knew better but wanted to make their 'statement.' When politician's talk about their relationship with JC, plug your nose."
• Jeff Olejniczak: "Separation of church and state is not in the constitution. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof ...' and Article VI specifies that 'no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.' "
• Nikki Raichlin: "I think politics and religion shouldnt be in the same room...just because its your religion doesnt mean its anyone elses...she should apologize and let it go after just stating she didnt mean to offend and graciously let it go...dont make a big deal out of it ... "
• Marianne Sweet: "Don't people have more important things to worry about? This is such a ridiculous argument."

[What do you think? Leave a comment!]

The next Oakland Township Board meeting will be held Tuesday, March 12.