Stop prayers or face being sued, council told
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A town council is being advised to http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=2071 or human rights laws.
The warning has come from the National Association of Local Councils (NALC).
Bideford town council in Devon has been told by the association that councillors and members of the public could argue that their right to practise any religion could be infringed by the saying of short Christian prayers before meetings.
Bideford council was planning to hold a meeting to discuss a possible ban but it is understood the matter will be adjourned until Hazel Blears, the Local Government Secretary, has made the Government’s position clear.
NALC has urged the authority to stop the http://www.wvwnews.net/story.php?id=1326 practice of prayers before council meetings to “eliminate any risk” of challenge in the courts.An email sent to Bideford council outlines Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2008/03/13/nprayer113.xml