If you needed evidence that government praying is all about promoting Christianity, just look at what’s happening in Pittsylvania County in Virginia.

A full recap is here but a quick summary will work: In 2012, the county’s Board of Supervisors began each meeting with a prayer to Jesus Christ. And it wasn’t citizens saying the prayers, but the Supervisors themselves, which clearly violated the law.

A judge eventually ruled against the County, saying the officials were violating the Establishment Clause. The Supervisors weren’t happy with that, so they filed an appeal… which they also lost.

When all was said and done, the County ultimately owed the ACLU north of $75,000 in legal fees.

This week, the Swansonville Pentecostal Holiness Church thanked the County for fighting what the rest of us knew was always a losing battle by presenting officials with a check for $2,000:

The church’s executive council voted in August to give the money to the county, [Rev. Mike] Hearp said. The money came from member contributions and the church’s treasury, he said. “The idea was brought up to show our support for the board of supervisors and also appreciation and support for their standing on the issue of prayer,” Hearp said. … Praying in Jesus’ name is “such a vital issue,” Hearp said. He has words of encouragement for the board and its supporters during the case. “There will be another day, another judge and a different verdict because God will have the final say in all affairs,” Hearp said.

The County officials were more than happy to take the money:

Board Chairwoman Brenda Bowman said she was pleased with the church’s contribution. “I swelled with pride knowing that a church would come out and offer support to us like that,” Bowman said. “I’m just real glad that he stepped forward to offer to do that and challenge other churches, and I hope other churches will follow suit.”

That says it all, doesn’t it? A Christian church gives a large donation to the local government to thank them for fighting for Christian prayers at meetings.

That’s precisely why government shouldn’t be in the religion business. They’re elected to do the work of all the people, not just the Christian majority.

(Image via Shutterstock. Thanks to Scott for the link)



