Town Hall prayers tradition, breaches his human right to freedom of belief.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....own-hall-prayers.html

Surely if former councillor Clive Bone, was ‘disadvantaged and embarrassed’ when Christian prayers were said in the council chamber, he could have removed himself until prayers were over.

This case has reached the High Court at the culmination of a three-year campaign, I wonder who's paying the legal fees?

[rojash]

Why should a rational human being have to put up with the ridiculous rituals of a minority bunch of misguided fantasists?

If a different minority (say, Muslims) insisted on every one sitting through their ritual, you and the DM would be up in arms.

[whiskeryron]

// Why should a rational human being have to put up with the ridiculous rituals of a minority bunch of misguided fantasists? //

Why should rational human beings have to put up with the ridiculous notions & ideals of a minority bunch of misguided atheists ?

[ichkeria]

Oh no, the pointless "Christians v Atheists" slanging matches have spread to the News section.
And on a Saturday too ! :-)

[Brenden]

No one insisted that he stayed rojash and muslims working in councils take their prayer mats three times a day - albeit to a designated room - to pray - I believe the culture of this country is still considered to be christian and this being a public building christian prayer meetings are in order.

[modeller]

whisky #Why should rational human beings have to put up with the ridiculous notions & ideals of a minority bunch of misguided atheists ? #

You mean those people who base their beliefs on scientific evidence as apposed to those who continue to believe in the fantasy world of biblical mythology.

[Mosaic]

Can it also be, that there's praying - and praying.....I mean, if it's a swift thank the lord I'm sure any reasonable person could use the time to flick through their appointments. If it's a full-on hallelujah with hugs it's difficult to ignore.

[modeller]

At least it's not as bad as the US where they can't blow their nose without offering up a prayer.

[naomi24]

Whiskeryron, where religion is concerned atheists have no 'notions'.

Personally, I don't believe prayers should be said at any meeting where a diversity of people gather, whether it be a school assembly or a council meeting. If he has an objection, then he should voice it in strong and positive terms giving valid reasons for his objection. Claiming that he was 'disadvantaged and embarrassed' is simply jumping on bandwagon of the pathetic 'offended' victim mentality that demands everyone else bow to it. He shouldn't be relying upon politically correct cop outs - he should be objecting with logical argument.

[whiskeryron]

If this guy wins in the high court then Britain has surely gone mad.When I served in the RAF we had church parades & anyone who was not a Christian was excused from the parade. This country has always been a Christian society & over the years we have seen so many things taken away from us such as prayers at School assembly to name one for example, people who don't like it can be exempt. I think enough is enough.

whiskeryron..

[anotheoldgit]

rojash

Read the report, the council voted on it, and the majority won, it's called democracy.

/// Mike Judge, of the Institute, said: ‘The Council have debated this several times. They’ve debated it, they’ve sought advice, they’ve held special meetings and they’ve voted on it. ///

/// ‘And the majority of them said, actually we would like to continue with this practice. It cannot be unlawful for the Council to say prayers if it has democratically chosen to do so.’ ///

[naomi24]

Whiskeryron, //If this guy wins in the high court then Britain has surely gone mad.//

Not at all. Whether we like it or not, times change. People can have their prayers in their own place of worship, but this man is an elected member of that council and shouldn't feel obliged to leave a meeting because the rest want to perform a religious ritual. No prayers, no problem for anyone.

[sandyRoe]

Yet the business in the House of Commons starts each day with a prayer.

[anotheoldgit]

Prays are also said in the Houses of Parliament, should these also be stopped?

http://www.parliament...how/business/prayers/

At least Boris Johnson's brother thinks so.

http://www.christian....the-house-of-commons/

[rojash]

Whisketuron
"Why should rational human beings have to put up with the ridiculous notions & ideals of a minority bunch of misguided atheists ?"

They don't. Atheists don't insist on holding public ceremonies to demonstrate their views. I've got nothing against anyone celebrating their religion provided they do it privately amongst themselves.

[anotheoldgit]

naomi24

/// No prayers, no problem for anyone. ///

Except the majority who want them to continue.

That's how things work in a democratic country naomi.

/// Whether we like it or not, times change.///

That may be, but when the minority have sway over the majority then things have become worse that I first thought.

I do hope our country hasn't changed that much.

[anotheoldgit]

rojash

/// They don't. Atheists don't insist on holding public ceremonies to demonstrate their views. ///

No they take them to the High Court.

[whiskeryron]

Hear Hear, AOG.

[boxtops]

what happens, then, in Parliament, when MPs pray to open the House? Do people like Keith Vaz and Baroness Uddin excuse themselves for that part, or just stay there but not participate? That's what some friends of ours do, e.g. at Church weddings - when the Lord's Prayer comes up, they just say a suitable prayer of their own, quietly to themselves.

[anotheoldgit]

rojash

/// I've got nothing against anyone celebrating their religion provided they do it privately amongst themselves. ///

It has been said before, those not wishing to 'join in' have the option to withdraw, and then the majority can be left to carry on 'privately amongst themselves'.

[THECORBYLOON]

As I understand it, the prayers are the first item on the agenda but attendance is not counted until after the prayers have finished. That being the case, a Councillor need not attend the prayers but can still attend the rest of the meeting. I can't see what the big issue is.