In Warren (OH), Government Officials Are Promoting Christian Prayer Gathering with Mayor’s Support

Why are officials in Warren (Ohio) and the Warren City School District promoting a prayer gathering with Mayor Doug Franklin‘s support?

The advertisements, which also include a flyer urging citizens to “follow the Biblical admonition” in prayer, are a violation of church/state separation, according to the American Humanist Association’s Appignani Humanist Legal Center.

“Public officials in the course of their duties should not be promoting religion or religious services,” said David Niose, legal director of the American Humanist Association. “The mayor’s invitation to residents to this prayer gathering is a clear violation of the Establishment Clause.”

The AHA sent the mayor and superintendent a letter documenting the problem and why it’s illegal to promote religion using government resources. They have a week to apologize and put a stop to their mistakes — and if they can’t do that, the city and district may be hit with a lawsuit. It shouldn’t have to come to that, but what other options are there when government officials think they’re above the law when it comes to pushing their faith on the community?