J.L. Atyeo

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling allowing governing bodies to open meetings with a prayer, an atheist group has signed up to give its own sort of blessing before a Sioux Falls City Council meeting.

After reading Mayor Mike Huether's reaction to the ruling in Tuesday's Argus Leader, Siouxland Freethinkers President Amanda Novotny contacted him about giving her own address.

Huether said the city offers volunteers to give prayers or motivational reading, accepting this from all denominations to "represent the increased diversity of our town."

A founder of another atheist group, Sioux Falls Freethinkers, said the prayers alienate people by forcing them to listen to one point of view.

City officials praise Supreme Court's decision on prayer at meetings

Founder Dale Hemming said the only choice is not to attend council meetings.

Novotny disagrees.

"It is extremely important for people to be engaged and active in government on all levels, and opting out on account of a prayer prior to the meeting is simply not a viable option, especially for a minority group (such as non-theists) that need to be aware of decisions that are being made and advocate for the rights of non-theistic citizens as needed," she said.

Novotny will give a secular opening remark at the Aug. 5 City Council meeting .

"I'm very glad that they are open to a variety of different world views," she said.