Via WBOC TV

The Wicomico County Council in Maryland has put a stop to divisive opening prayers after the Freedom From Religion Foundation and multiple residents in Salisbury, Md., complained.

A concerned community member reported that Council President John T. Cannon was leading Wicomico County Council members and attendees in the Lord’s Prayer prior to the Pledge of Allegiance at every meeting. FFRF was informed that multiple citizens had asked the council to end the practice, to no avail.

On one occasion last fall, Council Member James Winn even read from the bible during his comments, exhorting that “everything is right here, the answers, this is truth.” He then read multiple passages from the bible, giving his interpretations. He concluded by saying, “I know that not everyone here is a Christian and that’s OK, I’ll pray for you. There’s only one way, there’s only one way, and that’s through Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior.” 

FFRF stepped up to remind the council members that their duty is to serve the town, not religion.

“Observing a strict separation of church and state offends nobody, includes everybody, and honors the First Amendment,” FFRF Patrick O’Reiley Legal Fellow Charlotte R. Gude wrote to the council president. 

Prayer and proselytizing at government meetings are unnecessary, inappropriate and divisive. Council members are free to pray privately or to worship on their own time in their own way. They do not need to worship on taxpayers’ time. The council ought not to lend its power and prestige to religion by imposing prayer or personal beliefs on meeting attendees. Citizens, including Wicomico County’s nonreligious citizens, may be compelled to appear before the council on important civic matters and to participate in serious decisions affecting their livelihoods, property, children and quality of life. Additionally, the practice of prayer marginalizes the more than 30 percent of Maryland residents who are religiously unaffiliated. 

After receiving FFRF’s letter, the council changed its policy.

“After consideration of the issues raised, the Wicomico County Council has determined that beginning in calendar year 2026, it will discontinue the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer as part of the council’s meeting agenda,” Cannon wrote in a response to FFRF.

“We’re very pleased the Wicomico County Council has started the new year by recognizing its responsibility to be welcoming, inclusive and secular,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 41,000 members across the country, including more than 800 members in Maryland. FFRF’s purpose is to protect the constitutional principle of separation between state and church and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.

The post FFRF’s work finally ends Maryland County Council meeting prayers appeared first on Freedom From Religion Foundation.