INVOCATIONS: Limiting religions violates First Amendment

This is in response to Paul Van Noy’s quote in the article “Answer to Prayer?” printed on Nov. 29. Van Noy stated that allowing all faith leaders a chance to lead the invocation at the beginning of Coeur d’Alene City Council meetings “makes the city vulnerable to so-called deities other than the God of the Bible.” He went on to say, “Sadly, other deities or demonic spirits may respond to the invocation” and that’s concerning to him. I find Van Noy’s comments concerning.

Perhaps Van Noy has lost sight of the fact that this country was founded by people fleeing religious persecution. America is not a Christian nation, it’s a nation where you are free to be Christian. He’s obviously lost sight of the fact that the Coeur d’Alene City Council is a government entity, not a church service. 

The appropriateness of prayer at a government meeting is another debate altogether, but it would be illegal to limit the invocation to only one religion. I’m sure Van Noy agrees with the First Amendment. After all, it’s what allows him to preach politics from the pulpit. I could go on about how that’s a violation of his church’s nonprofit status, but I’ll stay on topic. 

In addition to protecting our freedom of speech, the First Amendment also protects the free exercise of religion — all religions. Since the City Council is a governing body, they cannot limit the invocation without violating the First Amendment. Since Van Noy doesn’t seem to comprehend the separation of church and state, maybe he should stick to church services and leave the City Council meetings alone.

LAURA TENNESON

Coeur d’Alene