On the Thursday, January 15 edition of OPEN AGENDA (S3 E4), our panel debates the controversial decision to discontinue Council-led recital of the Lord's Prayer during County Council meetings. Here are the facts. Back in September, Councilman James Winn proselytized during a legislative session by admonishing citizens that his form of religion is the “only way,” thus invalidating all other religious beliefs. As previously determined by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, Mr. Winn violated the “establishment clause” of the 1st Amendment by imposing his religious beliefs on others in his official capacity as a legislator during a government function. Subsequently, a citizen (who appears on this episode) formally complained to the Council, advising them that Mr. Winn had acted unconstitutionally. But the Council failed to respond or take action, so the citizen filed a complaint with the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). During their investigation, FFRF discovered that the Council was leading the recital of the Lord's Prayer at every meeting, which is also a violation of the Court's decision. In fact, Wicomico County was the only remaining county in the 4th Circuit (encompassing all of MD, VA, WV, NC and SC) that has not complied with the previous ruling, and FFRF was prepared to file suit against the County. The Council recognized that it would potentially cost taxpayers millions of dollars to litigate with virtually no chance of winning, so they made the difficult decision to discontinue this practice. However, other prayer alternatives are available that the Court has endorsed, including having rotating ministers of different faiths lead invocations (rather than government officials), so that no single religion would be favored. The bottom line is that if Councilman Winn had not overstepped this clear 1st Amendment boundary, the violation of the Court's decision would not have been on the radar and Wicomico County would still be reciting the Lord's Prayer—at least for now. It is also unfortunate that instead of leading, the County Executive has articulated her ill-informed legal “opinion,” which has not been endorsed by the County Attorney, while also engaging in divisive rhetoric rather than trying to broker a compromise that everyone could live with. But this should come as no surprise to anyone. Tune in and be informed.

Note the time stamps, and please consider sharing for all those on all sides of the debate:

0:25 The Council Discontinue the Lord’s Prayer

1:28 Battle of the Joes

2:14 Joe White wants to keep the Lord’s Prayer

2:52 Joe Schiaffino believes James Winn Crossed a line

3:35 James Winn’s Sermon

4:47 The Lord's Prayer vs. James Winn’s Religiosity

6:42 Joe Vs Joe Vs. Joe

9:22 James Winn jeopardized the Lord’s Prayer tradition?

10:18 Religious Texts in Government Meetings

11:49 The Motive behind Giordano’s Facebook Rant

17:00 Jim Adkins and Trish Melvin give their takes

21:57 Local officials politicize religion

24:25 Jim Adkin’s solution