The Mayor got the message from the Freedom of Religion Foundation out of Madison Wisconsin and it was not a surprise.
“Seeing what happen in Aiken I anticipated this I’ve received a copy of the letter got a copy of it forwarded to our City Attorney for him to review,” said Mayor Deke Copenhaver.
A lawyer for the foundation has sent a dear Mayor and Commissioners letter urging the city stop the practice of holding prayers before commission meetings.
The letter says the practice is unnecessary, inappropriate, and divisive, but some Augusta Commissioners do not think so.
“This county was founded on Christian principles we worship God in our courts the Supreme Court has a prayer before it begins my vote will be keep having them,” said Commissioner Jimmy Smith.
Many local ministers sign up to give the opening invocation at the commission meeting but to fill out the list the city recruits other pastors.
And the list is nearly 100 percent Christian clergy and that could be a violation of federal law.
“I do believe in the separation of church and state but really once again I don’t want to comment too much on it before the attorney reviews it,” says Copenhaver.
The letter does not threaten legal action it just says the city should put the prayers on hold.
“I don't think somebody from Wisconsin should be coming in there interfering with us telling us what to do,” said Chris Davis.
“I want them to continue the prayer I believe in the prayer,” said Michelle Perdue.
As a taxpayer I do believe firmly we should have prayers before we do anything fight any lawsuit if it wasn't for the lord where would we be," said Larry Dunbar.
And Many in Augusta would say amen to that.
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