Thanks to Humanists, all British Columbia municipalities have ditched prayers at meetings., Friendly Atheist, by Hemant Mehta, on July 5, 2024, 

https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/thanks-to-humanists-all-british-columbia

In a significant step forward for humanists and advocates of secular governance, all City Council meetings in British Columbia will now be prayer-free. This development comes nine years after a Supreme Court ruling declared the practice of opening meetings with prayers unconstitutional, as it violated civil rights. Despite the ruling, the British Columbia Humanist Association discovered that 23 municipalities were still starting their meetings with predominantly Christian prayers. In response, the association launched a determined campaign to end this practice. Their efforts included publishing a report identifying non-compliant municipalities, sending letters urging leaders to adhere to the law, and, in some cases, threatening legal action. As a result of these persistent efforts, all municipalities have now agreed to exclude prayers from their meetings and inauguration ceremonies.

The decision is seen as a major victory for activists and supporters of secularism, highlighting the importance of holding local leaders accountable to the law. This story was reported by Hemant Mehta on The Friendly Atheist blog, published on July 5, 2024.

Panelist Tao expressed great satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing the significance of achieving this change through secular means rather than through provocative actions like those of the Satanic Temple. Tao pointed out that the absence of prayer at public meetings ensures that no single religion is given undue prominence, which is a positive step towards inclusivity.

Aaron, another panelist, shared Tao's enthusiasm, noting that the decision benefits everyone by putting all citizens on equal footing regardless of their religious beliefs. He highlighted that the practice of opening meetings with Christian prayers implicitly suggested that Christianity was more important than other religions, and ending this practice helps in fostering a more inclusive environment.

The discussion also touched on the broader implications of religious diversity in municipal ceremonies. While some argued for representing various religions to reflect cultural diversity, the consensus leaned towards maintaining a secular approach to avoid privileging any particular belief system. The case of Vancouver's 2022 inauguration, which included representatives from different religious backgrounds, was mentioned as an example of an effort to promote inclusivity.

The persistence and dedication of the British Columbia Humanist Association were crucial in ensuring compliance with the Supreme Court ruling, demonstrating the power of sustained advocacy and legal pressure. This case underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in upholding secular principles in public governance.

The Non-Prophets, Episode 23.29.4 featuring Cynthia McDonald, Kara Griffin, Mateo and Aaron Jensen

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