Supporters of Sectarian Prayer Threaten Billboards Exposing Council Votes

Around the country, the Freedom from Religion Foundation has been challenging city councils that open their meetings with sectarian prayers, and city councils have been forced to consider whether to change their policies. Few of the debates have been as contentious as that in Lodi, California (see prior posting) where a vote will be taken tonight. Yesterday's Lodi News-Sentinel reports that in advance of the vote, Council has received a letter from Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, the founder of the Colorado-based "Pray In Jesus Name Project," threatening that if council eliminates invocations or requires them to be non-sectarian, he will purchase billboards on Interstate 5 and Highway 99 for one year listing each council member as "Against Jesus" or "For Jesus." Councilman Bob Johnson described as Klingenschmitt's threat as "blackmail" and "petty thuggery."