Prayer continues to open county meeting
Northampton is a ‘Christian county’

by Jacqueline Hough
The Daily Herald Staff Writer
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 12:29 PM EST

JACKSON — Northampton County Commissioners voiced their disapproval Monday of a recent recommendation in Forsyth County about the use of prayer before meetings.

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Northampton County Commissioner Chairman Robert V. Carter said even though this is happening in Forsyth, “it will filter down. I want the board to determine what direction it should go in the future,” he said.

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners has been fighting for the last two years to continue to open its meetings sectarian prayer. Earlier this month, Judge Trevor Sharp issued a recommendation which the board’s prayer policy violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution, which bars government from establishing a religious practice.

He writes in his recommendation to the U.S. District Court “as exemplified by plaintiffs’ affidavits and deposition testimony, the defendant’s prayer alienates those whose beliefs differ from Christian beliefs and divides citizens along religious lines.”

The Rev. James Hester said he didn’t believe anyone in Northampton County would challenge the prayers offered at the county meetings.

“Northampton County is basically a Christian county,” he said. “People have lost homes and jobs. The book I try to live by gives hope. My trust and prayers are with God. I have no problem with the opening prayer.”

Hester added until someone had an issue with it, there was no need to change it.

Vice Chairwoman Fannie P. Greene agreed with him. “If there is ever a time we needed prayer, it’s now,” she said. “I think it needs to stay as is. Right now, we need prayer.”

Virginia Spruill said she was an individual who believed prayer was needed now more than ever.

“I don’t know how to do a prayer without calling on Jesus,” she said. “If I must abide by the law, I’d rather make my prayer silently than to openly defy the court.”

Carter said, “The Northampton Board of Commissioners will continue to open meeting with prayer until such time we are challenged. If challenged, we will take further action.”

He added he felt “99.9 percent of the Northampton citizens have a Christian background and believe in the Lord, Savior and Jesus Christ.”

Carter stated, “We will continue to act until we are challenged.”

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Comments

Watch Doggie wrote on Nov 29, 2009 2:51 PM:

" Hats off to the Northampton County Commissioners for their Courage to stand up against Political Correctness and express their Belief's and yes, they do represent the overwelming majority in their views, and its called Democracy.The ACLU, and all of the rest of the Anti- Christ Socialist will find out who has the real athority when their time comes.If they dont like Democracy, there are plenty of other places in the world who share their views,Cuba's only 90 miles from the US, I'm sure they would be welcomed with open arms from their Goverment for their views. They should be thankful that they live in a Country that allows different views, even if it is outside the Main stream of Americans.They wouldn't want to live in a Communist Country, but thet want to transform ours into one. "

Citizen wrote on Nov 27, 2009 5:20 PM:

" As a non-Christian, I am one of those offended by sectarian prayers opening Official Government Meetings. Either make an informed decision about prayers preceding Government Meetings, or perhaps invite the Civil Liberties Organization to the meetings and let Christians pay for the lawsuits! "

AmericanMeltdown wrote on Nov 22, 2009 10:41 AM:

" It doesn't matter if you are 99.9999 % Christian. You are 100% American. You are living in the 50's if you don't think it would only take one call from one person to the ACLU to put this to a stop. "

True Believer wrote on Nov 21, 2009 12:26 AM:

" WE All need to get back to the Bible.JESUS CHRIST died for our sins,not satan.It does not matter, whether you believe it or not,HE is the SAVIOR. "

Believer wrote on Nov 17, 2009 8:26 PM:

" The Bible says: It is better to obey God than men. The writhing is on the wall, will you bow before men or God? "

county member wrote on Nov 17, 2009 1:42 PM:

" Good decision! Thanks to our commissioners. "

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