by WCNC.com Staff <\/p>\n
WCNC.com <\/p>\n
Posted on May 6, 2013 at 12:47 PM <\/p>\n
Updated yesterday at 12:50 PM <\/p>\n
UNIONCOUNTY, N.C. -- Union County leaders could soon be facing a lawsuit over how they start County Commission meetings. <\/p>\n
A group called The Freedom from Religion Foundation is warning the county to drop the opening prayer or face a lawsuit. <\/p>\n
It's a topic Rowan County leaders are familiar with. The County Commission has been sued by the ACLU over its Christian prayers before meetings. <\/p>\n
The Wisconsin-based nonprofit foundation set their sights on Union County in February after receiving complaints from a local resident. FFRF says Union County leaders never responded to their initial letter demanding the commissioners end the practice of opening their meetings with prayer. <\/p>\n
Union County board Chair Jerry Simpson told the Charlotte Observer that commissioners take turns offering the invocation, or they designate someone to do it for them, such as a local pastor. Spirituality, he says, is a part of the lives of a huge majority of county residents, and they appreciate that commissioners make prayer part of their meeting. <\/p>\n
Commissioner Jonathan Thomas says Union County residents knew his valuesand those of his fellow commissioners when they voted them into office. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
More:<\/p>\n
Freedom from Religion Foundation threatens suit against Union Co.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" by WCNC.com Staff WCNC.com Posted on May 6, 2013 at 12:47 PM Updated yesterday at 12:50 PM UNIONCOUNTY, N.C. -- Union County leaders could soon be facing a lawsuit over how they start County Commission meetings. A group called The Freedom from Religion Foundation is warning the county to drop the opening prayer or face a lawsuit. Continue reading