Federal appeals court to consider Michigan county's prayers

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Updated 1:53 pm, Monday, February 27, 2017



DETROIT (AP) — A full federal appeals court will consider whether a Michigan county's tradition of Christian-only prayers at public meetings violates the U.S. Constitution.

The order on Monday by the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacates a ruling earlier this month by a three-judge panel of the court that said prayers by the Jackson County Board of Commissioners were unconstitutional. In that 2-1 decision, the court ruled in favor of a Jackson County resident who was offended after he began attending county commissioner meetings in 2013 to discuss environmental issues.

Peter Bormuth said he felt compelled to stand and participate in religion in order to speak to public officials.

The panel had overturned a lower court ruling in favor of the board.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/us/article/Federal-appeals-court-to-consider-Michigan-10963050.php

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(Short article, no more at link.)

[matt819]

1. What is so fucking hard about this

Separation.

Of.

Church.

And.

State.

[Bradical79]

2. Yeah, it's as straightforward as it gets -nt

[FiveGoodMen]

4. What's hard is: The churches want to run the state. And the constitution is getting in their way!

[bitterross]

3. At Issue here is probably Town of Greece v Galloway

SCOTUS opened the door to this with their ruling in Town of Greece v. Galloway. In that opinion they pretty much okayed the same behavior as is it appears is happening in this case. Prayers are technically open to any faith. It just so happens only Christians are offering to lead the invocation.

See https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/12-696_bpm1.pdf