Supreme Court to weigh in on legislative prayers
The Supreme Court said Monday it will hear a new case on the intersection of religion and government in a dispute over prayers used to open public meetings.
The justices said they will review an appeals court ruling that held that the town of Greece in suburban Rochester in upstate New York violated the Constitution by opening nearly every meeting over an 11-year span with prayers that stressed Christianity.
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Two town residents who are not Christian complained that they felt marginalized by the steady stream of Christian prayers and challenged the practice. They are represented by Americans United for Separation of Church and State.
Reacting to the court action Monday, the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, Americans United executive director, said,
"A town council meeting isn't a church service, and it shouldn't seem like one."