Charlotte City Council has long began its meetings with an invocation, but halted the practice last week. This followed a 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling that Rowan County commissioners could not open their meetings with explicitly sectarian prayers from just one faith.
City Attorney Bob Hagemann told the council’s Governance and Accountability committee today, Sept. 25 that he believes the prayer is constitutional, provided it isn’t limited to one faith, does not attempt to convert, nor “proselytize or denigrate other faiths or non-believers.” The prayer returned during tonight’s meeting.
In a narrow ruling in 2014, the United States Supreme Court yet again upheld the constitutionality of prayer before government meetings, provided they are not limited to any one particular religion or faith.
We want to know where you stand on this issue.
Do you think the Charlotte City Council meetings should begin with a prayer? Vote in the poll below.
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