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Lodi joins 3 cities ruling for prayer, against atheists' legal threat
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The Lodi City Council voted 5-0 last night to allow uncensored prayer before meetings that avoided favoring any religion.
The motion by Mayor Larry Hansen declared that the council under the policy would encourage participation from diverse religious representatives and from non-religious groups.
In a press release issued by The Pray In Jesus Name Project, which is led by former Navy Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, it states:
The victory vote came after months of lobbying, petitioning, protesting, and pro-Jesus rallies, both in Lodi and nationwide, organized by The Pray In Jesus Name Project.
An atheist group from Wisconsin has threatened a lawsuit if the city allows Jesus prayers, but the Mayor and four other councilors found their back-bone, and handed the atheists a resounding defeat.
This month four California cities, Tehachapi, Tracy, Turlock, and now Lodi have all heroically voted unanimously to allow free speech and public prayers "in Jesus name," even under threat of lawsuit.
"This victory should inspire legislators across America, that 85% of polled voters want you to allow public prayers 'in Jesus name,' even in public venues," said Chaplain Klingenschmitt. "Don't cave-in to empty threats of lawsuits by atheist complainers. Christian voters will rally to support you, and Jesus is not an illegal word!"
More than 700 people packed Lodi's Hutchins Street Square theater, some urging the City Council to allow uncensored prayer during public meetings and others calling for invocations that reflect Christian beliefs, according to a Sacramento Bee story today.
The Sacramento Bee also reported that: Inside, Alamo attorney Terry Thompson came to the meeting and said his prayer group had been praying for the Lodi City Council.
"There are many people across the state who are praying for you," he told the panel. "I would urge you not to go for nonsectarian prayer. To me, nonsectarian prayer is like a banquet without food. You want the Lord's blessings on your deliberations. That's the real issue here."
Photo: Wayne McCormick, of Woodland Hills, in Los Angeles County, lets his T-shirt do the talking as he listens during the Lodi City Council hearing. (JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS/SacBee)
More articles by Alex Murashko at LA Church & State Examiner.
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