SIGNS like this could appear in public buildings thoughout the UK if secularists get their way.
That’s the view of Roman Catholic Father Paul Daly, parish priest of Saint Joseph’s in Heywood, who this week accused Rochdale Councillor Robin Parker of attempting to “banish God from the public arena”.
We could be treated with the sight of non-prayers sitting in their council benches with the Mayor while those who wish to begin with prayer gather outside and enter after the opening of the meeting. The No Smoking in this building signs could be amended with the addition of the words No Praying.
Cllr Parker, in an entry in his Rochdale Online Diary, had given notice that when he takes over as Mayor in May 2008 he will not be having prayers before Council meetings. Cllr Parker trained at theological college but on completion decided against ordination.
An outraged Father Daly responded:
I wonder if Robin Parker has the authority as Mayor to ban Civic Prayers. Surely they are the prayers of the Council, not just of the Mayor. Will it be put to a Council vote? Will Councillors get a free vote? Will the new Mayor be banning prayer from other civic events, such as Remembrance Sunday, or is it only the Council Chamber that is meant to be no-go area for God?
It is, sadly, one more attempt to banish God from the public arena and to privatise faith.
Not only does the good reverend not want Christian prayer banished, he also wants prayer rooms opened in the Town Hall and council offices “suitable for our Muslim sisters and brothers.”
Read the full Rochdale News report here.
The Freethinker was founded in 1881 by GW Foote, an outspoken critic of religion. After the publication of 
July 13th, 2010 at 10:52 am
As it happens, Robin isn’t an atheist and I am delighted to call both him, and Fr Paul Daly, friends.