Attorneys for Forsyth County and citizens suing the county over prayers before county commission meetings are asking a federal court to hear oral arguments in the case.
In a joint motion filed yesterday, attorneys for both sides said that because the case involves "a significant dispute" over the interpretation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, they believe that oral argument may help the court decide the case.
Three county residents sued Forsyth County in March 2007, asserting that the county was violating the First Amendment by allowing clergy to make references to Jesus in prayers given before meetings of the county commissioners. The county contends that it isn't showing preference for Christianity because of a sign-up policy in which religious groups can volunteer to deliver the prayer.
Both sides recently filed motions asking the court for summary judgment — in other words, to rule on the case without putting the issue before a jury.
The two citizens remaining in the case against Forsyth are Janet Joyner and Constance Lynn Blackmon. They are being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union. The county's defense is being handled primarily by the Alliance Defense Fund.
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Citizens suing county over non-sectarian prayer are asking a federal court to hear its arguments
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Winston-Salem Journal
Published: May 26, 2009
Published: May 26, 2009
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