Federal Court Hears Arguments On Sectarian City Council Prayer

In Richmond, Virginia on Thursday, a federal district judge heard arguments on summary judgment motions in a case in which a Fredericksburg City Council member is challenging Council policy that does not let him invoke the name of Jesus Christ when he offers an opening prayer at council meetings. The Associated Press reports that Judge James R. Spencer suggested he was not convinced by the First Amendment arguments raised by council member Hashmel Turner's lawyer. Judge Spencer told the lawyer that all of the case law was against him. (See prior posting.)