ATHEISTS Criticize Court Ruling allowing Sectarian Prayer

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ATHEISTS Criticize Court Ruling allowing Sectarian Prayer
 
American Atheists today criticized a ruling by the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals allowing sectarian prayers before government meetings in Cobb County, Ga.

The court ruled 2-1 that Cobb County's practice of opening meetings with prayers that include references to specific deities is constitutional.

Edwin Kagin, American Atheists Legal Director, said  "This is a major change toward establishing a theocracy.  Government-sponsored prayer is clearly unconstitutional, and this point had been established and re-affirmed several times before this terribly misguided decision"

David Silverman, National Communications Director, explained "The whole point of the separation of church and state is the requirement that government treat all citizens equally.  This ruling gives government the
power to do the exact opposite   as of now, some people in Cobb County
have a right that others do not, simply because of their beliefs.   Some
are recognized, acknowledged, and welcomed, and some are not.  A two-class system has been imposed, and it's ludicrous that any court or any citizen would think this is a good idea.  "


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