Court ruling may change public prayers

Published Sun, Aug 1, 2004

By OMAR FORD
Gazette staff writer

In the 34 years Henry Robinson has been giving invocations at Port Royal Town Council meetings, he has always invoked the name of Jesus Christ. "Anytime you give a prayer you should mention Jesus' name," the longtime council member said Wednesday.

But area council leaders who share Robinson's opinion may have to reconsider their invocation practices in the wake of a July 22 ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that prohibits government bodies from using Jesus Christ's name during an opening prayer.

Darla Kaye Wynne, who practices the earth-centered Wicca faith, brought the issue forward in a suit she won against the town of Great Falls, which she accused of not recognizing and respecting her religious rights.

"So many people say that I'm against prayer," Wynne said Friday in a phone interview. "I'm just saying there is an appropriate place for it."

The court's decision in Wynne's case means councils should stop having sectarian prayers, or those which favor one faith, said Andrew Siegel, assistant professor of law at the University of South Carolina School of Law.

The ruling could have a direct impact that will ripple throughout South Carolina and the rest of the so-called Bible Belt states.

Local council and religious leaders' reactions to the ruling are mixed, ranging from approval to indignation.

"It's ludicrous," said Donald Goodwine, a minister at Central Baptist Church in Beaufort, referring to the court decision. "Jesus is our foundation. Who are we praying to, whose attention are we trying to get?"

Goodwine said he couldn't give a proper invocation without mentioning the name of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the son of God.

The Rev. Harry Rowland of the Baptist Church of Beaufort has often been asked to begin meetings of local public bodies with invocations. He said he would find it difficult offering up a generic prayer, although he tries to be as sensitive as possible to those with different faiths.

"If the invocation became a formality and ritual, then I would graciously say that you need to find someone else," Rowland said. "Prayer is a conversation with a living God. Whether they mention Christ or not, Christians are still praying to God."

But some Beaufort County Council members -- who rotate ministers from a mix of local denominations for their invocations -- don't think the decision will readily affect the Lowcountry.

"I don't see this becoming an issue (in Beaufort County)," said Councilman William McBride, who represents St. Helena Island.

County Council Chairman Weston Newton said he will confer with the county's attorney to consider what the ruling could mean for the council's invocation practices.But as far as Port Royal's Robinson is concerned, when the Town Council has an invocation Jesus' name will be there.

"Especially if I'm saying it", he said.

Siegel, the law professor, said Robinson's attitude could prove costly to Port Royal, considering the Court of Appeals decision in the Great Falls case.

"Council's defying this ruling could be opening themselves up for a lawsuit and their chances of winning would be zero," he said.

There are no simple solutions to the invocation issue, said Sheldon Feinberg, cantor at the Beth Israel Synagogue in Beaufort, who has given many invocations at civic functions and council meetings.

"I'm in accord with the court's decision," he said.

But ever since Wynne started out on her crusade in 2001, she said the list of threats from those with opposing viewpoints has been never ending.

"My tires have been slashed at least 20 times. Many of my animals have been killed," she said. "I've had to put security cameras on my property."

Feinberg said he thinks Americans need to work at becoming more accepting of other cultures and religions without having to be ordered by a court.

"Ultimately, we'll be able to deal with the issue not just because it's against the law," he said, "but because we each respect other people's beliefs."

Contact Omar Ford at 986-5538 or oford@beaufortgazette.com.