n a state already seriously divided by battles over government and religion, the mayor of Gadsden, Alabama has issued a proclamation declaring the community a "City of Prayer" and "consecrated grounds for the fulfilling of God's purpose, working through the Holy Spirit" and "prayer warriors."

   Mayor Steven Means signed the declaration on April 1, but it wasn't an April Fool's joke. The mayor says that he took the unusual step at the request of a local artist, John Sandridge, who thought that the move was a positive way of emphasizing belief and prayer in this community of 41,000 where nearly 1300 jobs are being lost due to the closing of a local tire plant.

   Local Atheist activists Carol and Al Faulkenberry, though, see the proclamation as a clear violation of the First Amendment's establishment clause against the commingling of government and religion. Ms.Faulkenberry insists that his honor publicly apologize for turning the city into a haven for "prayer warriors," and has enlisted the help of ACLU attorney Pamela Sumners who sent the mayor a nine-page letter outlining the possible legal violations involved. Means told the Gadsden Times newspaper that he has no intention of apologizing for his decree, though, insisting "It's a free country and I'm thankful for that, but I was proud to sign that proclamation. I don't think I did anything wrong and I stand behind what I did."

   In her letter, Sumners accused Means of using the government to endorse religious belief and sectarianism; the use of terms like "Holy Spirit" and "prayer warriors" clearly identify the endorsement of Christian fundamentalist theology.

   "I really think the city of Gadsden needs to be educated on what the Constitution requires," Sumners declared. "I wanted the good people of Gadsden to know that this is not constitutional." There is speculation of a possible lawsuit, but Sumners noted that before taking any legal action in the courts, "I like to make everyone aware that the Constitution is being violated... If they quit, there's no reason to sue."

   City Attorney Roger Kirby told media, "I don't believe the city has done anything to infringe on people's rights." He added that the proclamation of the mayor "doesn't mean it's an official city position that denies anyone their right to freedom of religion," and added that "Most proclamations are given and forgotten."

   Carol Faulkenberry, though, says that the mayor lacks the authority to issue such a religious decree. "The letter is an expression of basic fundamentalist Christian theology," she told the Gadsden Times newspaper. "If he (Means) can do that, he can declare the city a Muslim City of prayer, too -- but if he did that, the Baptists would be raising ... all up and down Broad Street."

   The Faulkenberrys got some support from Elliot Saltz, president of the local Temple Beth Israel. On Thursday, he told Associated Press that "People have a right to expect government to act ethically, but government has no business taking sides in matters of theology." He added that he considers the decree to be Christian, and said that he wished politicians would "stop trying to politicize religion."

   It remains unclear whether or not the proclamation will help the new "City of Prayer" or make up for lost jobs. But to the Faulkenberrys and other separationists, Mayor Means' actions are part of a wider pattern of frequent violations of the First Amendment throughout Etowah County and the state of Alabama. County Judge Roy Moore, for instance, has generated national controversy for his display of a hand-carved Ten Commandments plaque in his courtroom, and the opening of judicial sessions with a Baptist invocation. Prayer in schools or at official functions like athletic contests remains a divisive issue, and the former Governor, Fob James, threatened to mobilize the National Guard, state police and even the University of Alabama football squad in order to resist any "federal" orders to end prayer or remove religious items from government buildings.    Mayor Means, a member of the First United Methodist Church of Gadsden, remains firm in supporting the proclamation, and told Associated Press that he considered it to be Christian in its content.

"Whereas, the undersigned citizens of Gadsden, Alabama unite in the firm conviction that Gadsden, Alabama is not only an All American City and the City of Champions, but also The City of Prayer; and

Whereas, the citizens of Gadsden proclaim the conviction that `When two come together agreeing on anything it will be done in heaven,' and so claim this conviction as the foundation on which Gadsden and Etowah County stand; and

Whereas, they further claim this city and county as consecrated grounds for the fulfilling of God's purpose, working through the Holy Spirit and through the lives of those who step forth as prayer warriors. They acknowledge that the key word that brings God's Holy Spirit into operation is agreeing; and

Whereas, the citizens of Gadsden, publicly announce that it is agreed that through prayer the city of Gadsden and Etowah County can deal with, overcome and solve any problems that threaten our spiritual, physical and economic well being; and

Whereas, the citizens of Gadsden publicly announce that they forgive one another of all complaints and wrongs that we have against one another -- known and unknown -- allowing the Holy Spirit to work freely as God directs; and

Whereas, the citizens of Gadsden, vow to use our greatest weapon, prayer, in love, for the good of all God's people and live up to the tenets of this proclamation; and

Whereas, it is agreed that Gadsden, the City of Champions, now and henceforth, shall be The City of Prayer;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Steve Means, mayor of the city of Gadsden, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby proclaim the city of Gadsden, Alabama, City of Champions, All America City, `The City of Prayer,' encouraging the public to recognize that Gadsden is a city where God's will is being done."

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