Delaware Discord: Sussex Council’s Recitation Of Lord’s Prayer Sparks Conflict
Contrary to Mr. Phillips’ assertion, it hurts everyone when the government prefers one religious tradition over others.
Rehoboth Beach, Del., is sometimes called “the nation’s summer capital.” Folks from the Washington, D.C., area flock there when the August swelter descends upon us. The resort town is known for its great restaurants, interesting shops, a fun boardwalk and generally progressive viewpoint.
Surrounding Sussex County, however, has a different reputation. The largest county in little Delaware is known for its conservative approach to both religion and politics. Critics sometimes call it “Dela-bama” and that comparison to Alabama is not meant as a compliment.
I visit the Delaware shore a lot, and I’ve always thought the criticism of Sussex was exaggerated and unfair.
Unfortunately, the Sussex County Council is now in the process of giving the community’s critics some new ammunition.
The Council, it seems, still opens each of its meetings with a council president-led recitation of the Lord’s Prayer.
Huh?
This is 2009, for heaven’s sake. Can there really be a unit of government where government officials still impose a Christian prayer on those who attend its official functions?
I’m afraid so.
According to the Cape Gazette, before the start of each meeting, Council President Vance Phillips bows his head and leads the council in the Lord’s Prayer.
Americans United recently sent a letter noting that government-sponsored sectarian prayers are a clear violation of the constitutional separation of church and state. (The letter, AU’s second on the subject, also objected to the council’s sponsorship of an annual prayer breakfast.)
So far, the response from the Council hasn’t been positive. Phillips told the local newspaper that the opening prayer is a good thing, steeped in tradition.
“I’ve always run on traditional values, and this is a tradition that is not hurting anyone,” he said.
Phillips is correct that traditional values are often positive, but not in this case.
Here the U.S. Constitution and the American traditions of individual freedom and pluralism are the values that count. Contrary to Mr. Phillips’ assertion, it hurts everyone when the government prefers one religious tradition over others.
The Constitution gives government no authority to get involved in religion. As a matter of fact, it expressly forbids the government to take any action “respecting an establishment of religion.”
Sussex County has undergone tremendous growth in recent years. Its burgeoning population includes not only Christians of many stripes, but also Jews, Unitarians, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus and those who follow no spiritual path at all.
If the Council is going to represent all those people, it should discontinue recitation of the Lord’s Prayer. Sussex County has many houses of worship where such devotional activities are more appropriate; I’m sure they would gladly assume the responsibility, and let the Council return to addressing public issues.