Council Prayers Campaign

The National Secular Society are concerned that many — maybe even the majority — of local councils in this country that start their meetings with Christian prayers. We think it is inappropriate that non-believers and those of other religions taking part in local democracy are put in the difficult and potentially embarrassing position of having to decide whether to participate or pointedly not participate.

For local democracy to be representative we think it is imperative that the Council reflects the diversity of the community it serves and moves away from practises that deter full involvement from all sections of that community. We are aware of potential candidates who will not put their names forward for election, appalled that they should be expected to participate in prayers. This deprives local democracy of much-needed new blood.

We are not seeking to restrict freedom of worship. If some Council members wish to pray, we think that should be a private matter for themselves and there is no problem with them doing so before Council meetings. We do however think it unreasonable to insist that anyone’s religious beliefs should be imposed on others. Religious worship has no place in a secular debating chamber that exists to serve all sections of the community, regardless of their religious beliefs, or indeed lack of them.