Before the first 2023 meeting of the Coos Board of Commissioners (BOC) a swearing in ceremony was held for elected county officials.  Unlike the others Commissioner elect Rod Taylor was sworn in with his hand on a large bible.  He added the words “So help me God “to the end of the official oath.

Mr. Taylor will have a heavy work load.  Last year he was elected to the Coos Transit Board and the Bandon Port Commission. He told me he will continue to serve in both positions.          

Mr. Taylor’s first proposal on the BOC was to “Establish a resolution that Coos County BOC meetings will begin with a prayer seeking God’s blessing on our deliberations.”  The written guidelines to establish the resolution states, “Recognized religious leaders will be afforded equal access to offer the opening prayer.”  In the cover sheet explaining the resolution Mr. Taylor wrote, “our nation has seen a demise that correlates to the excising of God from the public square.”  He also wrote the US Constitution was written for, “a moral and religious people.”

The American Constitution does not mention God or Christianity.  It established the Federal Government in the name of “We the people” not a deity.  At the 1787 Convention that wrote the document delegates overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to open sessions with prayer.  The Constitutions secular nature was harshly criticized by some religious leaders in the early republic.  In 1812 the prominent New England minister, Timothy Dwight said, “We formed our Constitution without any acknowledgement of God” and he predicted America would suffer for the “sinful character of the nation.”

In 1797 the US Senate ratified a treaty with the Islamic government of Tripoli. The treaty was signed by David Humphreys, a representative and trusted friend of George Washington.  The treaty said in part, “As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion”  No conflict over religion should disrupt the “harmony” between the two nations. 

The secular nature of the Constitution has not led to eliminating God from the public square.  Prayer is not banned in Public Schools or Government.  “In God we trust” is on our money.  Most government meetings start with a pledge that includes “one nation under God”.  Many who recite the pledge don’t know it was written in 1892 without reference to God. That was added in 1954. 

It is Constitutional to start government meetings with prayer but government can’t endorse or dictate the prayer.  However, if it authorizes prayer government decides who is eligible to give it.  This entangles religion with politics.

The public comments on the prayer proposal were contentious.  The majority of speakers favored prayers. A minority agreed with what County Treasurer Megan Sims wrote on the agenda  cover sheet, “I feel it is inappropriate to push your religion on people that attend board meetings.” 

Political activist Phil Thompson said he is, “a church going Christian” who says, “my own prayers to myself” so there is no need for spoken prayers at government meetings.  Right -wing radio personality Rob Taylor remarked that because government is corrupt, a prayer to start BOC meetings was, “like a prayer for a whorehouse”.

In the end Commissioner John Sweet moved to hold a moment of silence to start meetings so those who wished could pray or meditate. The motion passed with Commissioners Sweet and Robert Main voting yes.  Commissioner Taylor voted no.