[CSPS] Prayer in City Council

[Hugh]

Dear Friends,

Are you frustrated and dismayed that the College Station City Council has
taken it on itself to introduced religion into City Council meetings with a
prayer? What ever happened to the separation of church and state? 

Well, let's do something about it.  Finally there is a progressive voice in
our community and it is time to be heard.  We hope to place the following
letter into a full-page ad with many signatures.

__________

In September, the College Station City Council decided to return to the
practice of opening each Council session with a prayer. We respectfully
request the College Station City Council to immediately reverse this action
in recognition of the strong American principle that separates church and
state in an effort to unite us in our common goal of liberty to believe as
we wish.  We encourage the Council to support the power of this principle
that allows people of all faith traditions and philosophies to live as good
neighbors.

One of the most important tasks of the City Council is to work together to
make our community a place that welcomes everyone, regardless of religious
affiliation. It is not appropriate for a mayor to determine which religious
beliefs will be sanctioned, and which will not. While the Mayor and Council
members did not likely intend to foster intolerance, their actions are
nonetheless creating that impression. The new formal invocations will not
necessarily result in wise decisions by the Council, but they are certainly
creating unnecessary discord and division in our community.

_______________________________________________



We need you to make a donation -instructions to follow- and, if you are
comfortable, allow us to include your signature in the ad.  

We hope to get at least 100 signatures, and to raise the $1,425.00 needed
for this projects, which will take broad based participation.  We are
looking for donations of between $10.00 and $100.00.   

Brazos Progressives has agreed to help facilitate this effort.  To donate
you can:
send check or money order donations made out to the 
Brazos Progressives at:
Brazos Progressives
P.O. Box 10782
College Station, TX 77842

On the check or money order, please write "for Council prayer ad" in 
the memo line so that we know what it is for.

If you want to pay by PayPal, you need to submit an electronic donation form
at: <http://www.brazosprogressives.org/donate.php>. On this form, you *must*
write "donation to Council prayer ad" or something like this in the Comments
box at the bottom of the form. Otherwise, we won't know what the money is to
be used for!

We will not assume that just because you donated that you are giving
permission to include your name. If you want your name included as a
signature to the letter you must also email me stating that.  Also, if you
cannot afford to make a donation you can still have your name included as a
signature of the letter.  Just email me. 

Please pass this invitation along to those you think might be interested.

Thanks,
Hugh 




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