Over the last few months, an atheist and a Wiccan have given the invocation at the Huntsville (Ala.) City Council meeting, thanks in part to FFRF’s efforts.
The council approved a Wiccan priest to give an invocation, but when it discovered his religious affiliation refused to let him deliver it. Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel sent the council a letter June 27 protesting that decision and asking the council for permission to have a local FFRF member, an atheist, give an invocation at a later meeting. “Kowtowing to majority fears about a minority religion is simply using the heckler’s veto,” wrote Seidel. “It is not a permissible reason to discriminate, censor speech, and otherwise trample the Constitution underfoot.”
The council relented, permitting FFRF member Kelly McCauley (also a North Alabama Freethought Association board member) to give the first atheist-led “invocation” Sept. 25 at an Alabama government meeting. (See Kelly’s remarks at right.) Wiccan priest Blake Kirk delivered his invocation Nov. 6.
Note: After the May 5 Supreme Court decision Greece v. Galloway, government prayers are difficult to challenge. In response, FFRF is encouraging atheists to give irreverent or secular messages in place of those prayers with its Nothing Fails Like Prayer contest.
Kelly McCauley Huntsville City Council, Sept. 25, 2014 Dearly Beloved:
When the ancients considered the values that were proper and necessary for the good governance of a peaceful, productive society, they brought to our minds the virtues of Wisdom, Courage, Justice and Moderation. These values have stood the test of time.
In more recent days, an American style of governance has led to approbation for newer enlightened values; we celebrate diversity, we enjoy protections of our freedoms in a Constitutional Republic, and we dearly value egalitarianism — equal protection of the law.
So now let us commence the affairs that are presented to our community. Let Doubt and Skepticism and Inquiry be on our lookout when caution is the appropriate course. But also let innovation and boldness take point when opportunities for excellence appear on our horizon.
In this solemn discourse, let’s remember Jefferson’s words: “. . . that Truth is great, and will prevail if left to herself, that she is the proper and sufficient antagonist to error, and has nothing to fear from the conflict, unless by human interposition disarmed of her natural weapons free argument and debate, errors ceasing to be dangerous when it is permitted freely to contradict them.”
Let it be so.
