Town Council Looks to Appeal Court Ruling on Opening Prayer in S.C.

July 30, 2004

Source: Associated Press

http://www.thecarolinachannel.com/news/3596744/detail.html

On July 30, 2004 the Associated Press reported, "The Great Falls Town Council has agreed to fight a decision by a federal appeals court that bars using the name of Jesus Christ in prayers before meetings. The council agreed unanimously to ask the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the case. Great Falls Mayor H.C. Starnes said most of the people in the town would want the decision challenged. But legal experts say it's a long shot. Darla Kayne Wynne, who practices the Wicca religion, sued the town council in 2001 for invoking Jesus Christ during meetings. Wynne said council members used the prayers to draw attention to her religious beliefs and ostracize her. Great Falls hasn't used the name of Jesus Christ in prayers since last August when U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan ruled the prayers violated the First Amendment's establishment of a religious clause."