The National Secular Society (NSS) today (2 Dec) argued before the High Court that Bideford Council in Devon is acting "unlawfully" by including prayers at the beginning of council meetings.
The NSS believes that religion is "inappropriate" in what should be "a secular environment concerned with civic business", and that council members of no religion are being “indirectly discriminated against” without justification.
The council has already voted in favour of continuing the prayers on two previous occasions.The case is being seen a test case for public worship.
Communities and Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles, said he could not comment on the claim before the High Court, but said:
"This Government recognises and respects the role that faith communities play in our society. Prayers are an important part of the religious and cultural fabric of the British nation. While the decision on whether to hold prayers is a matter for local councils, we believe they should have the freedom to do so."
George Pitcher, writing in the Daily Mail, noted that:
“These atheist and militant lobbyists are far more intolerant and prescriptive than the vast majority of the religious people they oppose. Christianity is woven into the fabric of our nation and its values, through our history, reflected in our institutions, from parliament to our legislature to marriage and family."
Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said:
“The NSS represents a tiny and extreme minority who want to purge this country of the Christian faith and impose secularism on society. They ignore the 69% of people who identify as Christians according to the last ONS survey.”
“They also promote the erroneous view that secularism is somehow neutral, even though the secularism they represent is not remotely neutral, or reflective of mainstream opinion.”
Links
Christian Concern: Religious Freedom
Christian Concern: Local Councils told to stop prayers at meetings