Commissioners see nothing wrong with yearly event
KINGWOOD — The Freedom From Religion Foundation chastised the Preston Commission for what it calls the commission’s “organization and promotion” of the National Day of Prayer.
The foundation said in a letter dated Dec. 26, “We understand that the county commission promotes its annual prayer events on its official government website.”
It includes a link to the post on the county website, which reads, “Please join the Preston County Commissioners on the courthouse lawn at noon on Thursday, May 2, 2019, to celebrate the National Day of Prayer.”
Commission President Dave Price said Monday he “pondered” on the letter over the weekend.
“I don’t see that they have a reason for us to not have that event, allow that event,” Price said. “They were under the impression that we sponsored that event.”
As for the event being on the county website, “We can look at what we do for any other organization,” Price said. He said his research leads him to believe the intent of the separation of church and state, “is to ensure that no religion receives special treatment or condemnation.”
“But not that it would exclude it from government,” Price said. “We make the same allowances for the courthouse lawn for many organizations, and as far as I am concerned we will continue to that.”
Had tax dollars been invested in the event, the foundation might have a point, Price said.
“I can’t think of anything other than it was on our website,” he said.
County Administrator Kathy Mace said the only thing she knew different about the 2019 event was that paperwork was not completed this year to request use of the lawn.
“It was growing in attendance, and it surprised me when they didn’t come [to complete paperwork],” Price said. “But we assumed it was an oversight.”
Commissioner Don Smith, who knows the people who usually apply, said he would look into that.
The event has been held for several years on the courthouse lawn. The commission allows a variety of groups to use the lawn, including the Kingwood Volunteer Fire Department and Main Street Kingwood.
The Foundation’s points
The foundation wrote that “a concerned local resident contacted us to report that the Preston County Commission sponsored a National Day of Prayer event on May 2, 2019.”
It goes on to say, “reportedly, a local pastor delivered a prayer, and a number of uniformed Morgantown Police Department officers participated in the event.”
The Dominion Post reported after the event that one MPD officer in uniform, Mike Charlton, pastor of New Life Ministries in Reedsville, addressed those in attendance. The newspaper estimated at about two dozen total attendees in its report.
The National Day of Prayer originated in 1952 with the Rev. Billy Graham, the Foundation wrote. Each year the president signs proclamations about the event.
The 2019 Statement of Faith “is exclusive to Christians, including that ‘The Holy Bible is the inspired, only, infallible, authoritative Word of the Living God’ and a belief in ‘the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ,’ ” the foundation wrote.
It goes on to say, “By supporting this event, the county appears to put its stamp of approval on these statements. We ask that the Preston County Commission drop its support for this divisive event and refrain from holding future National Day of Prayer events.”
The National Day of Prayer “drives a wedge between the 35% of Americans who are non-Christian and the rest of the populace,” the foundation wrote.
“I think it takes care of itself in that you now have policies and procedures in regard to the use of the courthouse lawn,” Mace said. Those were approved in October 2018 and took effect Jan. 1, 2019.
Price said if the day is to be held in 2020, forms should be completed. He also asked Mace to prepare a reply to the foundation, which commissioners will review.
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