British High Court Rules Against Prayer at Town Meetings

February 19, 2012

A British High Court justice has triggered dismay and anger with a recent decision that declares prayers at town hall meetings are against the law, the Religion News Service reports. Justice Duncan Ouseley ruled Feb. 10 that local government councils were violating a 40-year-old law if they conducted prayers as "part of a formal local government meeting," but added that prayers could be allowed if they were held before the town hall meeting officially began and if council members were "not formally summoned to attend." Some local councils suggested they intend to defy the decision; "We will find a way around it," said John Breeds, the mayor of Rye, England, including the possibility of praying before the meetings begin.