Ocean County Judge Halts Prayer in Point Beach
ACLU Says Order Shows Government Cannot Show Religious Preference
An Ocean County judge ordered Point Pleasant Beach officials on Friday to stop holding prayer at municipal council meetings, according to an ACLU press release.
The American Civil Liberties Union's New Jersey chapter said the judge's order "clearly violated the New Jersey constitution, which obligates the government to not show a preference for one religion over another."
"We support the right of government officials to pray on their own time, but when they act as the voice of government, they cannot promote their own religious beliefs," said Jeanne LoCicero, ACLU-NJ Deputy Legal Director, who argued the motion.
The policy allowed its municipal council members to lead meetings with prayers that reflect their personal religious beliefs, according to the release.
The American Ciivil Liberties Union sued the borough last month and sought a preliminary injunction to halt the practice, the release said.
Dee
5:46 pm on Saturday, December 18, 2010
Why don't judges just throw insignificant trivial suits out of court? There are more important things that we need judges to do. They should not waste their time listening to the small-minded, narrow-minded trouble makers at the ACLU. I hope this backfires and all people (like proud MLB players) will bless themselves before opening meetings, or before speaking at the microphone. Each of us can and should ask for a moment of silence, whenever and wherever we wish, then bow our heads to say a short prayer of our own. I am hoping that the favorite comment for each of these fine Point Beach public servants will now become, "...and we can thank God for that!" ("Amen to that!" etc.). Say it as much as possible, while pointing to heaven. Wear a hat with a cross or the Star of David! If they thought that former simple group prayer was too much, they ain't seen nothin' yet! If the court's hands are tied, ours are not. There is more than one way to skin those ACLU cats, so don't despair. Be proud, let's stand up and do it "in their faces" -- then watch them squirm as they next try to attack your personal right to free speech. And may God help them, because we will remain united for what we all believe in.