Humanists hit out at 'discrimination' over council session prayers
It has criticised local authorities in Devon for upholding the practice, but council bosses say it is "custom and tradition".
The Echo reported last year how Exeter City Council changed its policy after a non-Christian councillor raised prayer concerns.
Traditionally, at the start of full council meetings councillors and officers stood for prayers in the presence of a chaplain. But that practice was reviewed after Pennsylvania councillor Paul Pettinger complained.
Prayers are now held five minutes before the session starts, so atheists and people of other religions do not need to be there.
Now, Teignbridge District Council has been criticised for upholding the tradition at council meetings, and Humanist Society member Stanley Newton, of Kenton, near Exeter, has called for it to be scrapped.
"If today's practices were based on past customs and traditions then we would still have public hangings, burning of witches and heretics, public stocks and women without voting rights," he said.
"Another, even weaker excuse, put forward is that there should be no objection because councillors are allowed to opt out by absenting themselves from meetings while prayers are being said.
"This misses the point. As long as prayers are said openly as part of proceedings, the council is seen as aligning itself with one particular religion, excluding all others — in other words, practising religious discrimination.
"There can, surely, be no place in a modern, multi-faith society for observances of a particular religion to be held within a secular democratic institution, set up to represent people espousing many different religions or none.
"A minority are bound to feel excluded and aggrieved — it is so unnecessary."
Teignbridge council chairman David Weekes said: "This issue has been given substantial thought and consideration and only two years ago members of the council voted to maintain custom and tradition.
"I believe, irrespective of my view on faith, a councillor and current district chairman serving the Teignmouth community should set an example to others in the areas of good citizenship and good pastoral concern.
"I also fully support an individual's right to believe in their own faith and aim to be as inclusive as possible."
Mid Devon District Council chairwoman Cllr Margaret Squires said: "It is a tradition that council meetings start with prayers and I would like to see it upheld. Members may choose to leave the room."
A Devon County Council spokeswoman said: "We have received no complaints. Prayers are from all faiths and there is no compulsion for attendees of the meeting to be in attendance for this part of the meeting.
"This seems to me to be a reasonable way to continue."
East Devon District Council said it only held prayers at the annual meeting in May, at the "discretion of the chairman".
