This is the APPLE Biter Blog, commentary and news on local religion and secular government.

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

'Model Policy' regarding Legal Invocations

This does not really apply to the ECSB, since they are not legislative and their invocations are illegal under school prayer law.  Just the same, they have no written policy, leaving all prayers solely to the privilege of SB members.

The Escambia BOCC and City Council (who have no written policies either) would be wise to adopt this policy to assure the public that they are not discriminating in choosing prayer-givers (almost all Christian to date).

http://imgur.com/bz5Ospi

This letter went to the BOCC and ECSB, along with AU's legal clarification and call for change to policy.  This first step (giving them a chance to alter their policy) is necessary before filing a lawsuit to demand change.

While I agree that this policy would be a VAST improvement over one that is completely discretionary (the current system), it does not address some important points:
1) My literal 'invoking' of the spirits of nature in my Pagan Invocation seems perfectly reasonable as a blessing and call to involve the spirits of nature in the proceedings.  While not typical, it is no less valid.  Just as a Christian would call God's presence, I believe it is OK to invoke the presence of alternate gods of the speaker's choosing.
2) This does not completely call for an end to the 'rotation' system, which has commissioners picking the prayer-givers and acting as censors.  This system is inherently discriminatory as long as it allows some commissioners to reject offers - like Mr Robertson did.  I believe all our bodies should go to a master list, rather than allow political or religious privilege to play a part (as when commissioners choose).
3) It should be more clear that commissioners should welcome all invocation speakers without leaving the room or otherwise showing disfavor for some prayer givers.
4) It says nothing about employees, introduced as such, giving prayers.  This practice - common at the BOCC, where one employee gave 1 of every 5 prayers, appears as an endorsement of that employee's religion.

Of course, I still favor an inclusive moment of silence EVERY TIME.  This is the ONLY solution that doesn't ask anyone to pray against their conscience, nor does it show favor to any particular religion.  It is the only solution that will not result in sensitive believers or non-believers being offended.

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