ACLU Warns Against Prayer

WRAL The American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina has sent a letter to the city of Raleigh to watch its words. The group sent Assistant Deputy Clerk Ralph Puccini a letter complaining about the use of religious language during a recent City Council meeting. The ACLU objected to a minister's opening prayer, in which he said "in Christ's name we pray." "We ask that you instruct the invited clergy through a letter to refrain from using sectarian invocations," the letter said. The group argues that government shouldn't mix with religion and cites legal cases. It also sent similar letters to elected officials in Clayton and Pittsboro. A City Council committee will study the issue. The letter asks that the city inform the group of its proposed course of action by April 24.