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County Board Moves To Moment of Silence; Generates Strong Objections

By Howard M. Friedman

The Dodge County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors last week decided to end the practice of opening their meetings with a prayer from one of the Board members. Instead meetings will begin with a moment of silence. The Fond du Lac Reporter last week traced the reason for the decision. Newly elected Supervisor Dean Fuller became concerned after a fellow Board member opened a meeting with a sectarian Christian prayer. Fuller complained to the Freedom from Religion Foundation which, in turn, wrote Board Chairman Russell Kottke asserting that the past practice was unconstitutional. Reaction to the Board's decision has been strong. OneNewsNow yesterday quoted Libery Counsel's Mat Staver who said that the decision "is an example of where some radical separationists are pushing this country. They want to literally eliminate any kind of reference to God or religion." Also last week Supervisor Fuller, who initiated the change, said he has received death threats. (620 WTMJ News).

Full post as published by Religion Clause on February 12, 2009 (boomark / email).