Md.County Commissioner Delivers Prayer in 'Jesus' Name' After Supreme Court Ruling
Commissioners for Carroll County, Md., have been able to resume their Christian prayers at local government meetings following the recent Supreme Court ruling in Town of Greece vs. Galloway.
Carroll County commissioner Robin Bartlett Frazier was the first to deliver a prayer this Tuesday after U.S. District Judge William D. Quarles Jr. lifted his temporary injunction on sectarian prayers at local government meetings. The county had been suspended from saying sectarian prayers after being sued by local residents and the American Humanist Association, who argued the prayers favored Christianity over other religions and were therefore unconstitutional.
The recent Supreme Court ruling that sided with the town of Greece, N.Y., regarding its prayer policy caused Quarles to lift his temporary ban. Supreme Court justices ruled 5 to 4 that the upstate New York town's policy of allowing any religion to deliver a prayer meant that their policy did not violate the U.S. Constitution.
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In her prayer, Frazier prayed in "Jesus' name," asking God for "wisdom and guidance" in working for the people of Carroll County.
"Dear gracious heavenly father, I thank you for this day, I thank you for your provision and Lord, I ask today that you give us wisdom and guidance as we do the work for the people of Carroll County. Help us to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly before you and help us, Lord, to conduct ourselves in a way that is pleasing to you today. And I pray these things in Jesus' name. Amen," Frazier said.
Frazier has been the most outspoken commissioner opposed to Quarles' temporary ban on sectarian prayer. When Quarles first issued his injunction, Frazier refused to comply, instead delivering a prayer that referenced "Jesus Christ," "Lord," and "God." The commissioner said at the time of the prayer that she'd rather go to jail than lose her First Amendment rights.
After Frazier violated Quarles' ruling, the American Humanist Association demanded she and another commissioner who violated the injunction be held in contempt. Following Quarles' lifting of the ban, the humanist legal group is still demanding the commissioners be held in contempt.
Those against Carroll County's prayer policy argue that it differs from the policy of Greece, N.Y., saying that while Greece's policy allowed representatives from all religions to offer a prayer, Carroll County's prayers have only been Christian.
The American Humanist Association is requesting Quarles reinstate his injunction. The judge has yet to make a final ruling in the lawsuit.
Carroll County commissioner Richard Rothschild told The Baltimore Sun that he found Frazier's first prayer on Tuesday to be a "freeing" experience. "I thought to myself that I could now pray consistent with my conscience, and no longer violate my own spiritual beliefs."
Dave Roush, president of the Board of County Commissioners, added to the local media outlet that he agrees with the Supreme Court's ruling.
"When we pray, we're not praying for anything more than guidance, wisdom and blessings for this board in doing the right job for the people of this community," he said.
