Prayers at Public Meetings

Catlin’s comments supporting prayers at the start of public meetings are wrong on all counts:

1. No prayer can be, nor is it usually ever, “presented in a way that is sensitive to the religious principles of all denominations.” Catlin should try to lay out guidelines for such a “way.”

2. The only “ecumenical principles” to which Catlin could adhere apply only to the major Christian denominations. Ecumenism was advanced by the Roman Catholic Church to try to bring Protestants back into its fold.

3. If those meeting in council do not already have “wisdom, clarity of thought and inward strength” to make the right decisions, then calling on supernatural powers to pass the “small miracles” to instill them is much too late.

KENNETH H. BONNELL

Vice President, Atheists United

Sherman Oaks