Prayer Problems in Lincoln County Surface at Meeting

The County Commissioners adopted a policy Monday that allows all religions to pray at commission meetings. 

 

Just weeks earlier, Commission Chairman Carrol Mitchem vowed to only allow Christian prayer at meetings if he had anything to do with it during an interview with the Lincoln Times News.

 

"I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that don’t happen. We’re going to continue to pray as usual," said Mitchem.

 

"They don’t need to be in here praying to Allah or whoever they pray to," said Commissioner Mitchem. "Who do they pray to? Buddha?"

 

He added, "They don’t like it, stay the hell away."

 

More than 100 people gathered outside the County Offices before Monday’s meeting. 15 spoke during the meeting to Commissioner Mitchem. 

 

One Lincoln County resident, Christopher Goodson, told the Commissioner his comments were "bigoted."    

 

"There are plenty of people in this county who are not Christian," said Goodson. "They are pillars of this community, business owners, and Mr. Mitchem, you insulted them."

 

The American Civil Liberties called the Commissioner’s words Unconstitutional. 

 

A Wiccan leader, Tony Brown, told the Commissioners, "You can attempt to undermine the law, or you can accept the responsibility of adopting a policy that adequately represents the diversity of faith in your community."

 

Supporters of Mitchem spoke up. 

 

"Our country was founded in Christian principals and Jehovah’s’ law," said Alex Hoyle. "It’s used in all our courts and public offices."

 

The Commissioners adopted a prayer policy that states in part: "The invocation shall be voluntarily delivered by a religious leader within the County or the leader or appointee of any assembly that periodically and regularly meets with the County for the purpose of worshiping or discussing their religious perspectives."

 

Read the complete updated policy in the gallery above, or by clicking here.

 

Participants will have to sign up to pray in advance. They can pray on a first come, first serve basis. 

 

The Commissioners adopted the policy four to one. Cecelia Martin voted against the policy because she says a moment of silence would be more inclusive. 

 

Mitchem spoke to the crowd after the vote, "When it comes to county business, if any person, don’t matter about their religion, if it pertains to county business, I’m going to make sure I listen to you and I talk to you about it."

 

One resident’s concern still lies in the fact that there are only churches in Lincoln County. Other faiths worship elsewhere.

 

"It still excludes anybody who doesn’t have a formal meetings setting in Lincoln County," said Duston Barto.

 

Barto says he and other faith leaders are discussing the idea of gathering together in Lincoln County on a regular basis.

 

They would then take turns praying their respective prayers at meetings.