In September, a federal appeals court ruled that it is legal for members of the Rowan County, N.C., Board of Commissioners to open its meetings with a public prayer led by a board member.
Rowan County’s not a heavily urban area. It has a population of about 138,000. Not surprisingly, most of the prayers – about 97 percent – have been Christian in nature.
A flap over a mayor’s prayer breakfast is stirring up controversy in the city of South Pasadena, Calif.
The event drew attention because of involvement by local officials – although city leaders insist they didn’t organize the breakfast. According to the South Pasadena Review, City Manager Sergio Gonzalez told residents at a public city council meeting that despite its name, the event was private in nature.
I wrote earlier this week about the increasing religious diversity of America and the rise of "nones" – people who say they belong to no specific religious group.
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.
Lodi, Calif., is a city of about 62,000 residents between Sacramento and Stockton. I've never been there, but Wikipedia tells me the town is known for its wine production – it's the "Zinfandel Capital of the World." The band Creedence Clearwater Revival once penned a tune called "Stuck in Lodi."
But lately Lodi has been in the news for another reason: a nasty spat over prayers before city council meetings.
