Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Ontario municipal councils risk being taken to court if they continue to start their meetings with the Lords Prayer, says an Ottawa-based group of atheists and agnostics.
Using the traditional Christian prayer in council is illegal and sends the wrong message, says Sheila Ayala, a member of Secular Ontario.
"I think what theyre saying at council meetings when they say the Lords Prayer is that this council is only for Christians - its not for anyone else. And thats wrong."
The group said there are 18 Ontario municipalities that still say the Lords Prayer as part of council proceedings, breaching a 1999 Ontario ruling that found the practice violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.