Prayers before Exeter council meetings

In January, the Mayor of Totnes decided to replace prayers with a "quiet moment of reflection". "Inspirational readings and meaningful texts"will be read out before full council meetings of South Hams District Council. Now, in Exeter "A row has erupted after an Exeter councillor refused to stand for prayers during a civic meeting". The Express & Echo for 19 July 2007 reports:

Unholy Row Breaks Out Over Council Prayer Time

A row has erupted after an Exeter councillor refused to stand for prayers during a civic meeting. Councillor Paul Pettinger sought to explain his decision but was told to be quiet by Exeter's Lord Mayor, Councillor Hazel Slack, at the full council meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday night. …

Cllr Pettinger, who was the youngest councillor in the city when he was elected in 2004 at 24 years old, has told the Echo he intends to maintain his position: "I'm elected to do a job for my residents and the people of Exeter and faith has nothing to do with it," he said. "I am a secularist and believe in the complete separation of personal faith and state. I'm an atheist and don't wish to take part in Christian worship. It's highly inappropriate to put pressure on people to act in this way when there are people of so many faiths in this country."

Several DH members have written supporting Councillor Pettinger. Perhaps this has had some effect.

Update – a small step toward secular government

Exeter Times, Thursday 4 October 2007.

Non-Christians can say amen to prayers

THE tradition of saying prayers during the formal part of Exeter City Council meetings has been altered following concerns raised by a non-Christian councillor.

But some councillors are unhappy at the change, which will mean prayers being said five minutes before full city council meetings begin, to allow atheists and people of other religions to stay away.

Traditionally, at the start of meetings, councillors and officers had stood for prayers in the presence of a chaplain. But following a meeting in July, the practice was reviewed after Cllr Paul Pettinger was singled out for refusing to stand during the proceedings.

Cllr Pettinger, who represents the Pennsylvania area, said: "I was brought up a Christian but now, through my own choice, I have become an atheist.

"I have sat down ever since I was elected in 2004 and have made my position clear.

"I am a secularist and believe in a separation between the state and the church and no ideology, whether religious or otherwise, should enjoy a privileged position in society.

"I commend the change and am glad the group leaders have decided to observe the protocol that formal religious worship should not form part of council meetings."

From next month, prayers will be held five minutes before the session starts. Party group leaders have agreed to the switch, which was requested by Liberal Democrat Cllr Pettinger. It was felt the move made sense to ensure atheists or anyone of another religion was not made to feel uncomfortable for not participating.

Conservative group leader Cllr Yolonda Henson said she agreed to the move only reluctantly and would rather see the centuries-old tradition continue during meetings.

She said: "I don't think we should move for one man. It's nothing to do with religion, because when you become a councillor you do what is expected of you and sign an oath and you shouldn't seek to change that."

Lord Mayor Cllr Hazel Slack said she was happy about the new protocol, adding: "Some people are not Christians and that is fine and entirely their prerogative. This will make it more comfortable and easier for everyone."

At the next full council meeting at the Guildhall on October 16, prayers will take place at 5.55pm.