WINSTON-SALEM (AP) — Forsyth County Commission wants relief from a federal court order on prayer at its meeting.
The commissioners voted unanimously Monday to have the county attorney work to get the order overturned, so they can go back to their previous policy on prayer.
The commissioners formerly invited clergy from various faiths to give the opening prayer. That stopped in 2010 when a federal judge issued an order prohibiting the board from allowing sectarian prayer in meetings.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week in a New York case that the town did not violate the Constitution by allowing ministers to deliver Christian prayers at meetings, since the town had an inclusive invitation policy.
County attorney Davida Martin says Forsyth County’s previous policy is virtually identical to the New York town.