Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Independent Gazette publishes my July remarks to city council

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Independent Gazette published remarks I delivered before Wilkes-Barre City Council members in July 2013 objecting to their practice of government-led prayer during public meetings. I plan to continue challenging Wilkes-Barre City Council’s government-led prayer and will be in attendance to object once again at their August 15, 2013 meeting. Additionally, readers can watch […]

“Leave the room if you don’t like prayer”

  In recent weeks I have objected to government-led prayers during Wilkes-Barre City Council meetings by making statements before council (1, 2), appearing in television/radio interviews (1, 2), writing letters to local newspapers, working alongside the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), and much more. A common response I have heard from people amidst my objections […]

Objection to my prayer objection

Bob Shortz — at the July 16, 2013 Wilkes-Barre City Council meeting — addressed council objecting to my objection to government-led prayer at council meetings. Shortz encouraged council to continue its tradition of government-led prayer and casts the issue — rather than an issue of separation of church and state — as an issue of […]

Government-led prayers at Wilkes-Barre City Council July meeting

Government-led prayers continue at Wilkes-Barre City Council meetings. July 16’s ‘combined session’ included three prayers — during the special meeting, the work session, and the regular meeting — in one evening. As usual, Councilwoman Maureen Lavelle led the following prayer: “Almighty and everlasting God who presides over all things in Heaven, come and preside over these […]

Interview with Frank Sorick

I recently spoke with Frank Sorick — President of the Wilkes-Barre City Taxpayers’ Association — concerning government-led prayer at Wilkes-Barre City Council meetings, Wilkes-Barre politics, a recently erected Taxpayers’ Association “Mayor Got Gas” billboard chiding Wilkes-Barre Mayor Thomas Leighton, Mayor Leighton’s comment lamenting free speech [of atheists], and more. Find more information about the issue […]