The American Civil Liberties Union N.C. Legal Foundation is making good on its promise to stop the state General Assembly from saying predominately Christian prayers at the opening of every day’s session.
The ACLU today sent a letter to Attorney General Roy Cooper asking him to come up with a policy that would prevent it.
The civil rights organization said last month that it would be contacting local and state government throughout North Carolina, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision not to review an appellate ruling involving Forsyth County’s Board of Commissioners. In that case, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that sectarian prayer in a government setting was a violation of the First Amendment.
As a result, the ACLU is advising Cooper that the House and Senate practice of praying in the Christian religion a significant majority of the time runs afoul of the court decision. Its letter quotes the court’s ruling that “faith is as deeply important as it is deeply personal, and the government should not appear to suggest that some faiths have got it wrong and others got it right.”
The ACLU also points out that the appellate court ruling requires government take an active role in diversifying prayers and not just allow “all-comers;” otherwise, the faith of the majority would necessarily predominate. The ACLU says nonsectarian prayers are permitted.
UPDATE: Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for the attorney general, says: "We will share the letter when we receive it with the General Assembly leadership so that legislators are aware of the ACLU's concerns."
Comments
We need to amend the Constitution
February 3, 2012 - 9:40am — onto2012To protect our right to the free excercise thereof.
Put that clause first, add a clause that the courts can not prevent anyone from freely excising their right to pray to the Allmighty, and put an end to this tiny atheistic minority dictating to us how we worship God.
If they don't like it, they are welcome to leave.
The ACLU vs NAACP
February 2, 2012 - 7:58pm — AgentPierceThe ACLU must have gotten jealous that the N&O had a picture & story about the NAACP earlier in the day. Two self-important organizations desperate for relevance and willing to go to ridiculous links to try and achieve it.
ACLu
February 2, 2012 - 7:33pm — henryeIf I wanted to Pray the aclu could go to you know where. Each individual has a right to pray when they want to..These people are too much.. We need legislation on all organizations as to who and how much money is donated to them.. That way we could boycott the products of Corporations who are big contributers...
ACLU
February 2, 2012 - 6:54pm — newsjunkyThe ACLU is self-important
The peoples' business
February 2, 2012 - 6:51pm — Scotty919The legislature hasn't figured that out yet. Keep your bible thumping opinions (and prayers) away from my tax dollars.
He won't mind
February 2, 2012 - 6:50pm — capefearJesus is a big boy. He won't take offense if his name isn't used in a prayer. Neither will Buddha, Mohammad,Vishnu or the rest of the deified gang.
...and yourself
February 2, 2012 - 4:43pm — tarheel73The ACLU plays an important role in protecting the constitutional rights of minorities in all walks of life, whether it is based on race, gender, creed, national origin, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Most Americans belong to a minority in some form.
It matters to everyone
February 2, 2012 - 4:39pm — tarheel73The ACLU concern is not just what members of the legislature may think. It is what all citizens of the state think. That means not just fundamentalist Christians, other Christians, Jews, Muslims, Mormans, and others. We do not have a national or state religion. Prayers in the General Assembly are part of official state business. Either the prayers offered should not be specific about what religion the prayer represents or there should be a representative collection of prayers and those who lead the prayers from all major religions. Those who think they are the majority, and that is all that should matter, ought to keep in mind that majorities change. Most people do not regularly attend any church. The trend is for fewer and fewer people to self identify with a particular religion.
Who pays these people
February 2, 2012 - 4:16pm — politicalcriminalsWho pays these people? Wherever the money comes from ... it's truly wasted. I cannot remember ANY CAUSE or CASE this group has ever been involved in that was not superfluous crap.
Reminds me of a song...
February 2, 2012 - 4:12pm — McSorleysKilling in the Name Of...Onward Christian Soldiers!
Reminds me of the saying ...
February 2, 2012 - 3:43pm — nancyncabout mammory glands on a boar - ACLU will pick any fight to remain, in their minds, relevant.
The legislature isn't complaining
February 2, 2012 - 3:23pm — pianoguyIf members of the general assembly don't have a problem with this then it is none of the ACLU's business.
screw the aclu!
February 2, 2012 - 3:01pm — ecp1951screw the aclu!