A packed Council Chamber and overflow viewing areal witnessed the Turlock City Council unanimously vote to adopt having a public prayer before the official start of Council Meetings and adopted a prayer policy.
The Turlock Council took action to address concerns after receiving a letter on August 13, 2009 from the Madison, Wisconsin based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) urging the Turlock City Council to discontinue the practice of sectarian prayers as part of the official government meetings and to bring the Council back into compliance with constitutional dictates.
Tuesday night’s Council Meeting brought people as far as Lodi to come speak for and against holding prayer in conjunction with a public government meeting.
Many people basically supported religion in general and whenever they can while most people opposing having a prayer associated with Council Meetings spoke on the principle that religion should not be involved or advocated in a government forum.
Some people warned that the City of Turlock could face a lawsuit if they adopt having prayer and the proposed prayer policy.
Some people warned that the City of Turlock could face a lawsuit if they adopt having prayer and the proposed prayer policy.
Susan Robinson spoke as an atheist and lifetime member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Robinson said that this issue if before the Turlock City Council because at least one member had contacted the organization with their concern.
Robinson had the most unique statement including:
If you allow any kind of prayer, either during or before a government meeting, on tax payer owned property, you will have to allow any leader of any set of beliefs the same.
This means you will have to allow invocations to be given by scientologists, secular humanists, pagans, and even Satanists if they so request.
If you find the thought of invocations of these sorts to be ridiculous or offensive, then you should understand how non-believers feel about the invocations to your god. Many non-believers find the god in the Bible to be morally repugnant and we have a hard time understanding how anyone can worship such an evil character.
If you do not like your god to be criticized here, you can prevent that by voting tonight to not allow any kind of religious motto or practice to accompany public meetings or use public property.
After hearing those who wished to speak, the Turlock City Council Members all made statements including:
Councilman Kurt Spycher – I like the Mayor would like to continue with our tradition of invoking divine guidance for the benefit of the City Council. I believe that the written policy that the Council will consider tonight honors the traditions while at the same time respecting our Constitution.
Councilwoman Amy Bublak – I understand that we’re talking about different beliefs and wanting unity still within and I believe that we’re actually handling that by doing that prior to the gavel hitting the wood. I think that we create no divisiveness by still having the prayer prior to the meeting.
Vice MayorTed Howze – I take great issue with the idea that we’ve chosen to waste city time and resources on discussing this issue. We didn’t choose to waste this time, this issue was forced on us by an out of state organization that’s been picking a fight with every little city starting in northern California on down. It seems to me the real problem here lies with an organization that has nothing better to do than to target communities.
I do appreciate the invocation before every meeting for doing nothing more than to serve to remind us as elected leaders that we have to answer to our constituents and often times a whole idea of a higher calling is that we’re doing right by our citizens, that’s a good reminder before every meeting and I do support the idea of our invocation before each meeting because of that.
If you’re an atheist, I respect you but… If you don’t believe in a god, you should have a good time laughing at our foolishness for those of us who do. If you don’t believe in a god, it would seem to me, especially these organizations that if there’s nothing else besides this earth, you’re wasting your time picking a fight for nothing because what little time you have here is valuable. So I would ask that this organization who is wanting to pick a fight with everybody up and down this valley respect Turlock, leave us alone, go away in peace, and respect the vote of this Council when it’s all over.
Councilwoman Mary Jackson – I agree with having the prayer before the meeting and I will not look away (you have my word) that if anyone who wants to sit down or not participate.
I believe we need to do a much better job, and I believe we have a procedure in place, to reach out to different denominations and to try to reach out to denominations who do not have a per say church or synagogue or temple in this community but we still ask them to be a part of the invocation or the prayer before the meeting.
I just want us to continue to make sure that we make every overture to include everyone.
Mayor John Lazar – I’ll just follow up and close by saying how proud I am of each of you in your statements and for those that came forward and spoke whatever your position was. I hope you feel that this is a place where you can come and share your thoughts without intimidation.
As Mr. Spycher said, it is very important for me to protect and defend the history and past of this community. We celebrated our 100th birthday last year and this community was founded on faith and for those of you who don’t believe I respect your position.
I thank you for your thoughts and we’ll continue to reach out to all people and faiths in this community. I say God bless you all.
The Turlock City Council voted unanimously to have a public prayer before the official start of the Turlock Council Meetings and adopted a prayer policy that invites representative from all congregations filed as a non-profit within the Turlock community.
The Turlock City Council also voted unanimously to have “In God We Trust” and “We The People” painted on the Council Chamber walls.
People spoke for and against this proposal also, mostly including the same people that spoke for and against holding prayer before the Council Meetings.
City Attorney Phaedra Norton provided many examples of court cases backing up the fact this was a government “motto” and would be appropriate in a government building or setting while not “pushing” religion.
Councilman Kurt Spycher said that he would take care of the financing of painting “In God We Trust” and Councilman Howze said that he would pay for “We The People” while Councilwoman Mary Jackson said she would fundraise the money to incorporate murals on the wall.
Mayor John Lazar and Councilman Kurt Spycher will be a subcommittee working with the Turlock City Arts Commission and a more defined proposal of what the art will be.
Previous Articles:
Freedom From Religion Foundation Requests No Council Meeting Prayers
Councilman Spycher Op-Ed on Council Meeting Prayer
Previous Articles:
Freedom From Religion Foundation Requests No Council Meeting Prayers
Councilman Spycher Op-Ed on Council Meeting Prayer