Prayer Problems Continue in Rowan County
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ROWAN COUNTY, NC — The prayer problems carry on in Rowan County.
County Commissioners have formally filed a request for an appeal after a federal court ruled the way they prayed before meetings were discriminatory.
It’s a question of Constitutional law that now continues the controversy over the practice.
“In Rowan County, this is a tradition that’s gone back at least 50 to 80 years, if not longer,” said Commissioner attorney David Gibbs. “Historically, it goes back to the founding of our nation, and so we believe firmly that the US Supreme Court has upheld this practice. That’s why county commissioners voted unanimously to appeal.”
Gibbs filed the brief on behalf of the commissioners asking the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a May ruling that said commissioners must stop their prayer routine.
The American Civil Liberties Union sued on behalf of three residents in 2013.
U.S. District Judge James Beaty wrote in that case: “When Plaintiffs wish to advocate for local issues in front of the Board, they should not be faced with the choice between staying seated and unobservant, or acquiescing to the prayer practice of the Board. The Board’s practice fails to be nondiscriminatory, entangles government with religion, and over time, establishes a pattern of prayers that tends to advance the Christian faith of the elected Commissioners at the expense of any religious affiliation unrepresented by the majority.”
Commissioners will argue this round that ruling violated their right to free speech.
In June commissioners voted unanimously to appeal the ruling saying it violates their right to free speech.
“One day a Hindu, a Muslim, a Universalist will sit in this seat,” said Chairman Greg Edds. “I will rise and honor their prayer.”
Taxpayers were divided.
“If we lose this appeal, it is not going to be free,” said Rowan County Resident Jack Burke. “It’s going to be an expensive process, and then we’re really not going to like it.”
“I believe churches in our area would be more than willing to come together in one accord for unified effort to support the First Amendment and praying in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Joel Ervin.
The ACLU Legal Director Chris Brook sent WCCB Charlotte this statement Tuesday:
“Rowan County residents should be able to attend public meetings without being coerced into participating in a government sponsored prayer or fearing that they may be discriminated against for having different beliefs than the commissioners.”
Other counties have seven days to file briefs in support of Rowan County Commissioners.
The ACLU will then file its arguments.
By early next year, both sides will go before three judges and answer questions.
Those judges will decide how prayers will sound.
As for how much the appeal will cost taxpayers, attorneys say a judge will decide based on how parties settle.
