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(146,218 posts) Tue May 6, 2014, 02:18 PM May 2014

Supreme Court Legislative Prayer Ruling Criticized By Religious Groups

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/05/supreme-court-legislative-religious-groups_n_5268823.html?ir=Religion

The Huffington Post | by Yasmine Hafiz

Posted: 05/05/2014 5:14 pm EDT Updated: 05/05/2014 5:59 pm EDT

Ryan McGinnis via Getty Images

Today, a narrowly divided Supreme Court upheld the practice of sectarian prayers before local council meetings in the town of Greece, New York. The decision in the Greece v. Galloway, 12-696 case was the latest ruling in the ongoing issue of the constitutionality of legislative prayer.

Religious leaders were quick to weigh in, with some expressing their dismay at a decision which allowed sectarian prayer in a public forum.

Rev. Dr. C. Welton Gaddy, president of Interfaith Alliance, called the decision 'disturbing.' Interfaith Alliance filed an amicus brief on behalf of the respondents. Gaddy said in a press release:

Today’s decision is bad for both faith and public life. Legislative prayer has long presented difficult questions for anyone who cares about maintaining the boundaries between religion and government. As problematic as the practice is, it was at least tolerable when preference was given to inclusive prayer that reflected our nation’s diversity of faith and belief. This decision eliminates that preference and allows clergy to come in to the halls of government to promote a sectarian viewpoint.

The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, which also filed an amicus brief in support of Galloway, issued a statement expressing their "disappointment" with the court:

The Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty filed a friend-of-the-court brief in the case, opposing the town’s practice of opening municipal meetings with prayer, saying the practice violates the conscience of those who have to be in attendance to participate in the meeting.