Houston resident Kay Staley, who successfully sued to have monument to the Bible removed from the courthouse, has filed a challenge to the city's practice of opening each council meeting with prayer.
"Just because it always has been doesn't make it right," said Staley. "There are lots of people who feel exactly the same way I do. Most people are afraid to come out and say anything because of their jobs or their friends."
The lawsuit says by allowing open prayer, whether Christian, Jewish, Muslim or any other religion, it violates the separation of church and state. But the city's legal department says there are already some legal guidelines allowing for some religious invocation at public gatherings.
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Currently, council members take turns either saying prayers or bringing in a religious figure to say a prayer before every Tuesday's public session…
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"I think prayer ought to be a a private matter," said Staley. "I don't want anyone praying for me."
