TM Member/Precinct 2 : (5/28/02)
I am a new town meeting member and
was very surprised to hear the 3 meetings I have so far attended opened
by the moderator with a prayer. This offended me, but I was
new and wasn't sure how things worked, etc. Then I got the green memo from
your org. I was also surprised that the moderator did not address
the issue on the evening the green memo was distributed. Has the
moderator replied in any way to this org or a town meeting member?
I would like to be on your mailing
list and stay tuned.
I support the separation of private
religious beliefs and governmental functions.
Reply:
Mr. Sullivan
has made no direct reply to us. His only comment has been at the
May 20th meeting. After someone sneezed, he said "God Bless"
and then add "... I guess I'm still allowed to say that..." in a
joking manner. This has irked several of us, since he seems to think
disrespect for the First Amendment is a minor and inconsequential issue.
I don't think anyone would mind a "moment of silence or remembrance" for
Memorial or Veteran's day, but some of us strongly object to being regularly
lead into prayer by Mr. Sullivan in his elected role as Moderator.
TM Member/Precinct 4: (5/26/02)
I have thought about your informational
hand-out all week and finally
decided I cannot remain silent.
I have been a town meeting member for over
12 years, and from my first meeting
have felt uncomfortable with the opening
prayer. Putting my personal beliefs
aside, I was really shocked at my
initial meeting when John Sullivan
instructed us to rise and pray. I was
even more shocked to see the entire
Town Meeting rise and support this
practice. I am glad to know I am
not the only one who finds this practice
offensive (and outrageous), but
I don't think there are many of us. I have
mentioned it to my friends in town
meeting and they see nothing wrong with
the practice - they seem to view
any opposing viewpoints as political
correctness gone awry. I would be
interested to know what kind of response
you have had to this issue and I
commend you for having the courage to bring
it up.
Email Question:
(5/21/02)
The constitution does not say
anywhere that separation of church and state is a law. In
addition, since the First Amendment states that "congress" shall
not make laws regarding establishment of religion, then the prohibition
does not apply to the states.
Reply:
You are
wrong on both points. As to your first point: the
US Supreme Court has reaffirmed several times the separation as
law. For example, in the 1947 case of Everson v. Board of Education
of Ewing, the Supreme Court stated, "In the words
of Jefferson, the clause against establishment of religion by
law was intended to erect a wall of separation between church
and state" That clearly made such separation a constitutional
requirement. On your second point: The Fourteenth
Amendment, ratified in 1868, prohibits states from passing any
laws contrary to the Bill of Rights, which includes the First
Amendment's requirement of church-state separation.
Committee Member: (5/21/02)
I was somewhat baffled during my
first Town Meeting to be asked to stand for a prayer. I was new to
town government participation and was taken aback by this inclusion of
religion into what I thought was a process clearly separate from religion.
In fact, I thought maybe I misunderstood what was being said and that perhaps
it was really not a "prayer" but some other type of opening statement.
So I waited until the spring Town Meeting to listen carefully to what has
been said by Mr. Sullivan and it indeed is a prayer. I even went
to Webster's to get clarification of the word "prayer" since it has troubled
me so, and have spoken to other members of different town governments to
ask them what their town practices are.
While I am sure Mr. Sullivan means
no harm in stating his "prayer", I strongly believe it is inappropriate
to request that we all stand for a prayer to open Town meeting sessions
and further that any religious overtone is used. I believe religion
should not in anyway be introduced to a state government process whereby
we are here to represent all the constituents; whether they be Christian,
Jews, Muslims, Hindus, God-believing or atheist.
I do believe in God, but I also believe
very strongly that the church should be separate from the state.
If we look at what is happening in the Middle East under the cloak of religion,
it makes me further insistent that this tradition of prayer be eliminated
from town meeting.
Should you need any help in
your committee's pursuit of this issue I will gladly support you
in this cause.
Email Question:
(5/20/02)
Prayer is common in many settings,
including Congress and the Senate. President Bush encourages prayer
in many situations. So what is wrong with keeping this tradition?
Reply:
Just
because some of our government officials have blatantly disregarded
their oath to uphold the Constitution, and because it may be accepted
in other settings, does not mean its right or legal. Politicians
are easily coerced by their colleagues. Intimidation works wonders.
Sure, there are many setting where it is proper. Non-government
settings in which everyone has voluntarily attended. Prayer
in government functions is wrong and constitutionally illegal.
Look at it this way... just because slavery was practiced for
100 years, did that make it right? Just because discrimination
based on skin color was practiced for 100 years did that make
it right? Just because women were denied the right to vote
for 150 years, did that make it right? I'm sure some would
have claimed that it was "political correctness carried to
extremes" to ask for a women's right to vote!
TM Member/ Precinct 4 (5/20/02)
I have been very upset and humiliated
by Mr. Sullivan's action since the first day I attended TM.
I pray in my home.
I pray with my family.
I pray in my church.
I pray in silence anywhere and time
I wish.
BUT
I do not wish to be forced to stand
and be lead in prayer by intimidation.
I do not wish to be lead in prayer
during a government function by the moderator at my town meeting.
As an elected TM member I should
not be forced to leave the room while Mr. Sullivan prays. This is
wrong.
If Mr. Sullivan has any respect
for our rights, he will stop.
TM Member/Precinct 2 : (5/20/02)
I support you and appreciate your
efforts.
Thanks.
PS: What are the laws regarding
openning town meeting with a prayer and what cases have been brought by
the ACLU or others in this regard..
Reply:
Thanks.
We are hoping Mr. Sullivan respects our rights and ceases voluntarily.
We will bring this issue to Mr Sullivan and to the floor at an
appropriate TM. If all this fails we will be contacting
the Massachusetts Chapter of the ACLU for help in pursuing this
further. Its a violation of our First Amendment rights which has
been ignored. There are many precedent setting court cases
that have put an end to this type of abuse of power. It
takes courage though to fight an established process that many
accept without questioning its consequences.
Email Question:
(5/20/02)
I have never heard of anyone
complaining at Town Meetings about this before. Don't the majority
of us have the right to pray before the town meeting? Don't you
believe in majority rule?
Reply:
We are
aware of at least 5 TM members who are opposed to the opening
prayer. The fact that they have kept silent about it is an indication
of the degree of intimidation generated by Mr Sullivan's
actions.
Yes....
we believe in majority rule, but religion holds a special place
in this country. We have majority rule in deciding political
issues, not religious issues, and not under the authority
of the government. This is exactly what the constitution was
designed to prohibit. NO... the majority does NOT have
the right to force their religious beliefs or rituals on any minority
even a minority of one. That's what America is all about.
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