Here we go again - Greece is Challenged in Court over prayer
As Ladkiddo said Greece is getting sued. Fine - excellent - Glad to see it let’s settle it once and for all. So, let’s review.
There is nothing legally wrong with a prayer at a government meeting. As Government does not sponsor religion only a nonsectarian prayer is acceptable.
“Blah blah blah, in Jesus Christ’s name [or any other specific deity's name] we pray, amen“. That is a secular or denominational prayer and it is wrong at a government sponsored event.
Something like “blah blah blah in God’s name we pray, Amen.” is acceptable at a government sponsored event because it doesn’t mention a specific deity.
So, what does Greece do? We have been over this before. There was this post, or this one, City News covered it, why it is wrong, Heck Greece even had a forum about prayer.
Here is the D&C’s article (with my emphasis).
The U.S. Supreme Court has determined that governmental bodies may open their sessions with prayer, but only if the prayer is nonsectarian and does not reference a particular deity or the language and symbols specific to one religion.
The Americans United lawsuit, which was filed on behalf of Greece residents Linda Stephens and Susan Galloway, seeks to have the court declare that Greece’s current practice violates the Constitution and issue an injunction prohibiting sectarian prayer before the board meetings.
According to the suit, Galloway is Jewish and Stephens is an atheist, and both object to, are offended by and feel “unwelcome at board meetings because of the town’s alignment with Christianity through the board’s persistent presentation of Christian prayers.”
Can’t you just hear the arguments now? Unwelcome? But we are a Christian nation, majority rules and all that non-sense. I’ll have more later but, now pay attention… Majority rules doesn’t mean trampling on minority rights. The Constitution applies equally to every citizen.
hmmm, seems to me like “God” is in fact a specific deity, one that is believed/assumed to be the only deity by Christians, Jews, Muslims.
I see absolutely no reason other than pandering to offer such “prayers” at the start of public meetings.
yes, someone else pointed that out to me.
Of course the point is wording or symbols unique to that religion. So “… in the name of Jesus” is not good, or what passes for the equivalent in other religions would not be good either.
Thanks
Whenever there is an issue Auberger tries to throw up is hands and says he has nothing to do with it. he claims he has no control over the content. As an officer of the town he is however responsible for enforcing not only local laws but the law of the land. That’s truly a lack of accountability.
Sound familiar. Same thing he said in the assessors scandal ” I see nothing” (with apologies to Sgt. Schultz of Hogan’s Heroes) he always sees and does nothing.
Perhaps Auberger took a page out of the Tom Reynolds’ playbook.
What? A fellow republican molesting pages I’m responsible for? I know nothing!
What? Funds I’m responsible for being stolen by fellow republicans? I know nothing!
Jeesh. Auberger thinks people are stupid. Come on now…Eastman Kodak Company -a huge tax base (+/-) in Greece.
Simple math here:
My mommy gives me $10.00 a week from my dad’s wallet. I know I can budget $40.00 a month for my spending.
When dad gets paid, he makes $100.00 a week. When mommy takes my $10.00 out for my allowance, she takes another $20.00 for herself.
Mommy thinks daddy doesn’t notice. If your daddy is John Auberger…that assumption would be correct.
How was he able to balance a town budget, or even come up with one UNLESS…
(and here’s the critical part)…
…daddy Auberger knew that the RESIDENTS were being overcharged on their assessments to make up the difference.
So all along daddy was getting $130.00 a week, and only putting $100.00 in his wallet, knowing the whole time that mommy was taking $30.00 and giving me $10.00.
Auberger should be investigated, as should all of the other board members in Greece for their involvement.
My money says that because they all work for or dated Maggie Brooks, they’re linked to money laundering at the county level.
We need an online petition. Here is a graphic if anyone wants to start it. Maybe RT will host it like they do “UNFAIR”…
http://img701.mytextgraphics.com/photolava/2008/03/02/aubergermaze-fdau78l9.gif
[...] I saw over at the D&C that the Alliance Defense Fund is defending the Town of Greece. You know, the lawsuit filed by Americans United for Separation of Church and State against the Town of Greece? I discussed it here. [...]