Grand Junction, Mesa County Grapple with Pre-Meeting Prayer

August 5, 2008

Author: Marija B. Vader

Source: Grand Junction Free Press

http://www.gjfreepress.com/article/20080805/COMMUNITY_NEWS/38702443/1064/MISC&parentprofile=-1

In one day, both the Grand Junction City Council and the Mesa County commission discussed their practice of praying before meetings.

After getting an opinion from their attorney, City Council members decided at a work session Monday they will discuss a resolution Wednesday that will address the issue.

The resolution opens the door for anyone to lead an invocation at formal council meetings.

Anne Landman and Jude Sirota of the Western Colorado Atheists and Free Thinkers said if the city had a moment of silence before meetings, that would suffice as a solemn observance.

Earlier in the day, commissioners grappled with a county resident and lawyer who challenged their understanding of the law and who encouraged them to seek legal advice from their attorney.

The name of Jesus Christ cannot legally be part of a public prayer before Mesa County commissioner meetings, said an emphatic attorney Bill Hugenberg at Monday’s Mesa County commissioners meeting.

Just as emphatic, but wielding a gavel, Mesa County Commissioner Janet Rowland said she won’t bend her morals or values to remove Jesus from her prayer, even if it means losing the upcoming election. And to her it’s a matter of her freedom of religion, protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.