Lodi City Council approves invocations before meetings           

By Maggie Creamer
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Thursday, October 1, 2009 6:43 AM PDT

Comments (151 comment(s))

The Lodi City Council unanimously supported changing its invocation policy to allow religious leaders to give uncensored prayers before its meetings.

"The people of Lodi overwhelming support invocations," Councilwoman Susan Hitchcock said at the Wednesday meeting. "As taxpayers, the people might even be willing to put money forward to fight this particular battle."

The council reconsidered its policy after receiving a letter in May from the Freedom From Religion Foundation that threatened a lawsuit if the council did not start enforcing its own policy requiring that all prayers be "non-denominational and nonsectarian."

After months of public debate, the council held a special meeting Wednesday night where about 500 people gathered into Hutchins Street Square to discuss the issue.

As people spoke at the meeting, most were greeted with applause and occasional yells from their supporters. People on both sides of the issue quoted the Constitution, Bible verses and historical figures.

Lodi resident Duane Linstrom said Lodi is under threat from people who are trying to file a frivolous lawsuit. The Christian culture is ingrained in our society, he said.

"This friendly culture is what we need to preserve and pass on," Linstrom said.

Tom Ikelman, who is not from Lodi but owns a business in the city, said he felt like he is being "outed" by saying he is atheist.

"The purpose is to provide services to the public and not get political or religious. ... Keep it non-controversial. Keep it so nobody is uncomfortable with it," Ikelman said.

When the council announced its decision shortly after 11 p.m., prayer supporters clapped wildly.

The city attorney's office will now draft a policy allowing uncensored prayer, and the council will vote on it at a future meeting.

The council also affirmed that prayers will now be held before the meeting is called to order. The city will encourage leaders of all faiths, including those who have to travel outside of Lodi to a place of worship, to participate.

The council will also allow those not affiliated with a religious group to give a Call to Civic Responsibility.

After listening to public comment, Councilwoman JoAnne Mounce said she wants to continue having a prayer because a majority of the city is in favor of it. But she would like to open it up to all believers and nonbelievers.

"When we invite everyone to the table, I ask that they are tolerant of all people, and during the invocation they keep on task of setting the tone of the City Council by encouraging the council and blessing the community," Mounce said.

Councilwoman Susan Hitchcock said she finds it a shame that people would want to limit a prayer, which is supposed to be uplifting for the council members.

She said if there is a lawsuit, she hopes it comes from a resident of Lodi and not from outside groups, like the Freedom From Religion.

"People of Lodi need to make this decision," Hitchcock said. "If people of Lodi feel they need to challenge this and put the city and citizens of Lodi up to that challenge for a small minority, but I don't think anyone that lives in Lodi wants to do that to Lodi."

Since June, Mayor Larry Hansen said he has received 1,451 e-mails on the subject of prayer and the response has been unprecedented, and has even surpassed the Wal-Mart debate.

"This whole issue has caused me a lot of personal reflection," Hansen said. "We spend money and time worshipping professional athletes, but if we try to worship Jesus Christ, we get silenced and criticized."

Councilman Bob Johnson said he is frustrated that this group is targeting Lodi and other small towns instead of focusing religious displays of government at the federal level.

"I don't understand why they are getting a free ride, while Lodi and other communities are experiencing this pressure," Johnson said.

During public comment, Carole Lew, of Stockton, said she believes prayers in meetings should continue.

"It pains me to be here," Lew said. "This meeting shouldn't even be taking place to compromise the name of Jesus, because Jesus is God. He's our Lord."

On the other hand, while identifying himself as an atheist, Lodi resident Norman Walker said he does not understand why it is necessary to continue prayers before the meeting.

"I would hope this council would find it in their wisdom to allow people to express themselves without pushing their particular beliefs they have onto others in the community," Walker said.

Before the meeting, about 50 Lodi United members walked with signs on the sidewalk while another smaller group of people sang "Just can't stop praying his name of Jesus." The rallies were small compared to a meeting in August, in which more than 400 people showed up to Hutchins Street Square.

While holding a homemade sign, Stefan Simandi argued with Ina Rodman about prayers before council meetings.

"If you want to not pray, stay outside for a couple of minutes," Simandi, of Lodi, said.

Rodman, of Moraga, countered: "But that's my tax dollars. I'm not going to stay outside, and I'm not going to be forced to pray."

Nearby, Lockeford resident Steven Kotajarvi and his wife and three daughters sat next to Woodbridge resident Marvin Smith, who was playing "There is Power in the Blood" on his guitar.

Kotajarvi said he could not stay for the meeting because he and his family planned to go to church, but he wanted to come out to be counted.

"'Jesus' is not a bad word," Kotajarvi said.

His wife said she wanted to teach her three daughters to stand up for what they believe in.

Their 8-year-old daughter, Annalie, said she wanted to come with her dad because "I just want to praise God," she said.

Holding a sign with the words "Preachers of hate: Go home" 11-year-old Joseph Phillips marched with his friend, 11-year-old Sophia Stroh.

"We want to show that things in church shouldn't be done in the government or in the public," Phillips said.

Both agreed a moment of silence would be acceptable.

"What if Muslims go, and they feel like they are betraying their God?" Sophia Stroh said.

Contact reporter Maggie Creamer at maggiec@lodinews.com or read her blog at www.lodinews.com/blogs/citybuzz