invocations

AZ Atheist Lawmaker Gives Invocation, Then Gets Mocked by Christian Colleague

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In 2017, Arizona State Rep. Athena Salman, an openly atheist legislator, delivered an invocation to open up the day’s session. It was a perfectly respectful speech, referring to “the humanity that resides within each and every person here.” Yet it offended Republicans who insisted all invocations needed to invoke a “Higher Power.” One Republican was …

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After Legal Battle, Alaskan Borough Ends Discriminatory Invocation Policy

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In early 2016, members of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Alaska were thinking about getting rid of invocations at meetings… but they kept them and said anyone who wanted to give one could do so. Hearing that invitation, a member of The Satanic Temple signed up. She delivered an invocation that included the line, …

After Legal Battle, Alaskan Borough Ends Discriminatory Invocation Policy Read More »

Atheist Group Sues WV City Council for Reciting Lord’s Prayer at Meetings

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The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a lawsuit against the city of Parkersburg, West Virginia for reciting a Christian prayer at the beginning of all city council meetings. The lawsuit notes that council members say the Lord’s Prayer to open each session and audience members are encouraged to stand. The plaintiffs include Parkersburg resident and atheist Daryl Cobranchi who attended …

Atheist Group Sues WV City Council for Reciting Lord’s Prayer at Meetings Read More »

After Elections, Radford (VA) Officials Vote to Replace Invocations With Silence

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Elections have consequences, and in Radford, Virginia, a new city council took immediate action to get rid of Christian prayers at meetings. For the past several months, the Radford City Council has opened its meetings with Christian prayers — and only Christian prayers. During council meetings in recent months, the pre-meeting invocation was usually given by the Rev. …

After Elections, Radford (VA) Officials Vote to Replace Invocations With Silence Read More »

OH Lawyer: No “Special Effort” Needed to Find Non-Christian Invocation Speakers

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The Canal Winchester City Council in Ohio is on the verge of having invocations at meetings, but they’re getting some bad advice from their own attorney. Vice President Mike Walker made the request to include an invocation late last month because “it gives everyone a chance to reflect and ask God for wisdom and guidance.” That’s great… if you’re part …

OH Lawyer: No “Special Effort” Needed to Find Non-Christian Invocation Speakers Read More »

Ryan Reinstates House Chaplain After Priest Decided to Fight Dismissal

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Speaker Paul D. Ryan reinstated the Rev. Patrick J. Conroy as the chaplain of the House of Representatives on Thursday, after the chaplain sent him a letter rescinding his forced resignation and daring the speaker to fire him. “I have accepted Father Conroy’s letter and decided that he will remain in his position as chaplain of the …

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Pastor During CO Invocation Debate: “You Won’t Offend Anyone But the Atheists”

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Earlier this month, during a meeting of the Monte Vista City Council in Colorado, the members discussed adding an invocation to their meetings. As we know, those invocations are legal as long as people of any faith and no faith are allowed to speak. That clearly wasn’t what they had in mind. Councilor Gary Johnson spoke in …

Pastor During CO Invocation Debate: “You Won’t Offend Anyone But the Atheists” Read More »

Atheist Celebrates Our “Shared Humanity” in Iowa State Senate Invocation

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This morning, a Humanist delivered the first ever secular invocation in front of the Iowa State Senate. Joe Stutler, a “reverend” from the Universal Life Church (which ordains just about anybody) and a board member for the Humanists of Linn County, did the honors. He was invited to speak by State Senator Rob Hogg and State Reps. Art Staed …

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A City Commissioner in Eustis (FL) Couldn’t Handle an Atheist’s Invocation

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Last year when atheist Joseph Richardson delivered an invocation at a meeting, one commissioner decided to give a second invocation… as if the first one didn’t count because it didn’t address the Christian God. This past Tuesday was the 232nd anniversary of the Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom, a day we’ve come to know as “Religious Freedom Day.” Penned by …

A City Commissioner in Eustis (FL) Couldn’t Handle an Atheist’s Invocation Read More »

Iowa Legislator Compares Atheist’s Invocation Request to Supporting Abortion

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The Friendly Atheist blog reports that Iowa State Senator Craig Johnson refused to let an atheist constituent give a secular invocation. According to emails from Senator Johnson, giving an atheist constituent the opportunity to speak would be betraying his religious beliefs and akin to sponsoring a bill “for abortion.” Reporting on the incident, Hemant Mehta writes: …

Iowa Legislator Compares Atheist’s Invocation Request to Supporting Abortion Read More »

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