Post by CMF Newsman on Jul 27, 2012 6:15:38 GMT -5
HAMILTON COUNTY — For the next couple of weeks at least, Hamilton County Commissioners may continue to open their meetings with prayers invoking Jesus, God, or another deity or higher power.
Federal Judge Harry Sandlin Mattice Jr. has given their lawyers, and those suing to block those prayers, until August 8 to file briefs before he decides whether to order those prayers stopped until the case itself goes to trial.
"We're making it (the prayers) more inclusive," Commission Chairman Larry Henry says. "We had it inclusive to begin with, I thought, but evidently we didn't."
Commissioners modified the prayer policy July 3, after Hamilton County residents Tommy Coleman and Brandon Jones filed the federal suit, arguing that officially-sanctioned, led prayers are unconstitutional because they violate First Amendment provisions barring an establishment of religion.
www.wrcbtv.com/story/19125668/judge-wants-more-info-before-deciding-whether-to-stop-commission-prayers
Federal Judge Harry Sandlin Mattice Jr. has given their lawyers, and those suing to block those prayers, until August 8 to file briefs before he decides whether to order those prayers stopped until the case itself goes to trial.
"We're making it (the prayers) more inclusive," Commission Chairman Larry Henry says. "We had it inclusive to begin with, I thought, but evidently we didn't."
Commissioners modified the prayer policy July 3, after Hamilton County residents Tommy Coleman and Brandon Jones filed the federal suit, arguing that officially-sanctioned, led prayers are unconstitutional because they violate First Amendment provisions barring an establishment of religion.
www.wrcbtv.com/story/19125668/judge-wants-more-info-before-deciding-whether-to-stop-commission-prayers
