Putting issue to rest
Let's put to rest once and for all the issue of prayer at the Tehachapi City Council meetings. A recent letter writer ("Majority can be wrong, Oct. 20), only needs to consult the Supreme Court for his answer.
Consider Marsh v. Chambers (1983), in which the Court ruled that it was constitutional to open a legislative session with a prayer. Chief Justice Warren Burger wrote for the majority: "To invoke Divine guidance on a public body entrusted with making the laws is not, in these circumstances, an 'establishment' of religion or a step toward establishment; it is simply a tolerable acknowledgment of beliefs widely held among the people of this country."
Or Lynch v. Donnelly (1984), in which the Court observed that "(O)ur history is replete with official references to the value and invocation of Divine guidance."
The Constitution was written in 1787 partly to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity" and invoked Divine Providence to help us achieve these goals. That includes religious liberty and tolerance. If the letter writer does not wish to hear an invocation, he does not have to attend.
Otherwise, I suggest with all due respect that the letter writer put a sock in it. Because, as he pointed out so clearly, the majority does rule.
ANDREW BEWLEY
Bakersfield
