The Winston-Salem Journal reports:
Forsyth County will continue to defend a suit that objects to prayers containing sectarian references before meetings of the county board of commissioners . . .
The American Civil Liberties Union filed suit in federal court against the county in March 2007 on behalf of several county residents. The suit challenged the constitutionality of the board allowing pre-meeting prayers that contained specifically Christian references such “in Jesus’ name we pray.”
Commissioners voted 4-3 in April 2007 to defend the suit, splitting on party lines with Republicans in the majority. The board enlisted the help of the Alliance Defense Fund, which fights similar suits around the country. The ADF said it would defend the suit without cost to the county, although it also said it would not pay any costs awarded to the plaintiffs if they prevailed in the suit . . .
