Under scrutiny from the Freedom From Religion Foundation to stop its practice of opening meetings with a sectarian Christian prayer – in violation of its own policy – the City Council of Lodi, California voted last night instead to change the policy in favor of sectarian invocations. They did, however, vote to encourage members of all faiths (as well as atheists) to participate in offering the prayer, and will now begin with that ceremonial exercise before the meeting is called into session.The Sacramento Bee has more on the scene at last night's meeting.
More than 700 people packed Lodi's Hutchins Street Square theater, some urging the City Council to allow uncensored prayer during public meetings and others calling for invocations that reflect Christian beliefs.
Still others sought to do away with invocations entirely.
One chaplain suggested that if council members didn't vote with Jesus, their decision would be advertised on Lodi billboards. Councilman Bob Johnson responded that he would not be intimidated.
The vote was 5-0 to allow specifically sectarian prayer.
