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Federal Judge Says "No" To Christ, Town Seeks Reversal
CNS
Aug 29, 2003
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ROCK HILL, SC - Officials in a South Carolina community are appealing a
federal judge's recent decision that barred council members from
mentioning Christ in pre-meeting prayers. Last Thursday, Cameron
McGowan ruled that the Great Falls Town Council cannot invoke the name
of Jesus or any other specific deity during prayers offered before
meetings, "The (Rock Hill) Herald" reported.
The ruling comes after a lawsuit filed against the town by Wiccan high
priestess and Great Falls resident Darla Kaye Wynne, who claimed
officials violated the First Amendment of the Constitution by using the
name of Jesus in prayers offered at meetings.
Wynne proposed in 2000 that prayers be limited to only mentioning "God"
or that members of different religions be invited to give prayers. In
February 2001, the council decided to continue with the customary
prayer.
"I just wish they would understand there's more than Christians here,"
Wynne told the "Herald." "Instead of diversity dividing us, it should
be bringing us closer together."
Mayor H.C. "Speedy" Starnes Jr. said the council will comply with
McGowan's ruling until it can be reversed. Starnes said prayers
mentioning Jesus has been the practice "ever since we've had a
council." The town was incorporated in 1968.
"This [case] potentially could have a snowball effect for every city
council, county council and school board around," Town Attorney Brian
Gibbons said. Several churches and area ministers have shown their
support for the council, with church members opposed to allowing "an
alternative prayer to a self-proclaimed witch," the Herald reported.
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