Another step forward......

Thumbs up! Amazing that we've got to 2012 without this ban happening before. What do you bet people will moan and confuse secularism with "anti-religionism"?

Of course they will! Roll on disestablishment, say I!

Hear, hear!

Totally agree! What on earth do prayers have to do with any decisions made by local councils - although....sometimes I do think a bit of divine intervention may have helped a bit with ours here.....!

Is this the best place to put this thread?!

We hate religion!!!!!!

Down with God!!!!!!



[sarky emoticon]

As predicted.

I'll leave you all to it!

You're funny.

I cannot see any relationship between prayer and council business so am pleased with this ruling. Someone one the news was protesting that this had been happening since Elizabethan times! I rest my case.

Not advocating prayers, but I do think that sometimes a moment before such meetings to just reflect on the potential seriousness of decisions would not come amiss.

I can't see why it has to be a 'ruling'. Why can't it be up to individual councils to decide? As MrsJamJam says a moment for reflection is no bad thing. We are meant to be a Christian country after all - or are we?

No, we're not. The C of E only represents a minority.

Christians aren't just C of E.

True, but christians of all denominations are in a minority now. But that's beside the point really. Prayers are just irrelevant to council business. If any individual councillors want to pray, they can, privately. The ruling simply says that praying is not part of official business so cannot be imposed in council time on those who don't pray for whatever reason – different gods, no gods, etc.

Thanks bagitha well put.

While ever the Cof E is part of the political establishment, and therefore the Archbishops are in the House of Lords, we cannot move forward here.

In a way, it's more to do with a group who are Christians, and have an historical place constitutionally, than about Christianity per se. The influence of the Established Church may well not please many other denominations, as well as offending people with other beliefs.

Apparently all started in a certain town in the south west, beginning with B!

Time they got rid of that act of parliament that turns nearly all headteachers and governing bodies into law breakers as well isn't it. The one that says the school day should start with a daily act of worship.
Nearly 40 years ago, when doing teacher training I visited a school that was 100% muslim. It was in Southampton. There were the little mites getting the morning assembly about jesus!
Most schools don't comply with the act these days.

Good! No one religious group should ever have any say in political power. That way lies real trouble. Time we sorted it out!

Why would this not be the right place for this thread - it is about religion.

Absolutely!

It is embarrassing for the non-religious when people start praying around them. You have to sit there with a blank face and patiently wait till they've finished talking to their imaginary sky-friend. Most non-religious people have no axe to grind, they are not like Dawkins: but they just don't want to be dragged into other folks' strange little rituals.

Oh now, that's a little bit insulting Joan, "their imaginery sky friend*.

Have a little bit of respect for other people's beliefs.

How would you feel if you lived in a strictly Islamic country?
At least here we can dissent and question!