The briefs are all in to the Supreme Court in the Forsyth County (NC) government invocation case. Alliance Defense Fund attorneys, arguing for the County Board of Commissioners' prayer policy, believe the Supreme Court has good reason to hear their appeal.
"This is a big issue now," [ADF attorney Mike] Johnson said of the prayer debate. "It is a bigger one nationwide. The court needs to clear up confusion."
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The county argues in its latest brief, as it did previously, that different circuit courts have ruled differently in cases with similar facts. For instance, the appeals court for the 11th Circuit, which covers Georgia, ruled that sectarian references in the prayers of randomly invited clergy didn't constitute a government endorsement of religion.
The Baptist Joint Committee filed a brief urging the 4th Circuit to maintain its ban on sectarian prayer to officially open government meetings. Citing that brief, their ruling disallowed the County's prayer practice and policy. The Supreme Court could soon consider whether to hear the appeal of that decision, along with another dispute involving government prayer (Indian River School District). Stay tuned.
