Feelings Run High Over Lodi CA Prayer Policy

Passions seem to be running high over Lodi, California City Council's decision that prayers delivered at the beginning of Council meetings should be non-sectarian. Yesterday's San Jose Mercury News reports that Council postponed Wednesday's scheduled discussion of the policy to a special meeting scheduled for Sept. 30. However competing demonstrators lined the sidewalk-- one side carrying signs saying "Keep them separate" and "Lodi is not a Christian town." The larger group-- some 300-- were on the other side of the issue, chanting "Jesus" and "Amen." The rally against current policy was sponsored by the national group, The Pray In Jesus Name Project. A 13-year old demonstrator said: "It's becoming harder and harder for the Christians. ... It's only because we support God that our country is as blessed as it is." Meanwhile inside Methodist minister, Rev. Alan Kimber, delivered a non-sectarian invocation-- a moment of silence and then thanks for our country's freedom to express different beliefs. When he ended with a simple "Amen", some members in the audience yelled out: "in Jesus name." (See prior related posting.)