Hundreds gather in support of City Council

The Aiken City Municipal Building echoed with a united "amen" from hundreds of residents Monday night during a prayer rally.

The rally was sponsored by members of Lakeside Baptist Church and was in response to a letter from the nonprofit group Freedom from Religion Foundation that was sent earlier this summer to Aiken City Council questioning its usage of prayer at the beginning of public meetings. The letter further stated that it was not complying to state law because they were specifically saying Christian prayers, and they needed to either opt for a moment of silence or at least have a secular invocation.

Aiken City Mayor Fred Cavanaugh took time to speak to the crowd before heading upstairs for City Council's 7 p.m. meeting, in which they did pray, but without using any word that delegated the prayer to Christianity.

"We're going to pray, and we are going to pray to almighty God to give us strength and to give us wisdom..." Cavanaugh said.

He told the crowd that though prayer will continue, they will follow state law. He said that they must be careful until they do more research and get more information about other options they may have that will comply with the law. Until then, City Council will open with a secular prayer.

Jay Thompson, an allied attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund, a national group that advocates religious freedom, said that he was not aware of any law passed by the U.S. Supreme Court that stated that one could not specify a public prayer to a single religion.

"The important aspect is context, not content," said Thompson. "The content of the prayer is not what the courts are most concerned about - it is context."

According to the South Carolina Public Invocation Act, public prayer is allowed but "a public invocation must not be exploited to proselytize or advance any one or to disparage any other faith or belief."

People filled up the room that only had a 315 capacity limit and spilled out into the hallways and onto the outside patio, watching speakers advocating public prayer and showing support for Aiken City Council. A projection screen was set outside for people who couldn't get inside the municipal building so they could watch and hear the event.

"It's overwhelming - we didn't know what to expect," said Lakeside Youth Pastor Ray Henderson. "We are just glad to see our community and the family of God stand up."

Public Safety Director Pete Frommer said he believed that more than 800 people came out to the event.

"I think this is absolutely the most we've ever had in this building," said Cavanaugh.

Pastor Tad Marshall of Lakeside Baptist Church in Clearwater said the turnout was "wonderful" and that the rally was not a protest; they were not trying to establish a state religion, just the freedom to exercise their faith.

"We just want our voices heard - we want the freedom to pray," said Marshall.

Many voices were heard as they all united in "Amazing Grace," and the sound carried outside as participants on the patio joined in.

Several state officials were present at the rally to show their support for City Council after they heard the news of the letter.

"If there has ever been a time in my lifetime to pray, it's now," said State House Rep. Roland Smith. "Please continue to pray for your elective officials."

State Senator Shane Massey was also at the event, saying that he heard the news and wanted to come out to support Aiken residents and City Council.

Massey said the large turnout of people willing to stand outside in the hot weather when they couldn't fit in the municipal building really showed how strongly they felt about the situation.

Faith Riders for Christ, a group from Batesburg and Leesville were also present at the event. Leon Everette, a country music artist from Aiken and member of the riders, said that the issue had them fired up.

"We believe in God; we believe in Jesus," said Everette.

He pointed to his leather vest that read "Christian" along the back in gold letter with the scripture John 3:16 underneath and said that he wears his faith everywhere he goes. He said it was a shame that there was one person who complained, causing City Council to change something that they have done for years.

"There are more of us than there are of them," Everette said.

The one speaker that seemed to move the most people and got a standing ovation was Aiken resident John Mallory who is a member of the Lakeside Baptist Church.

"Tonight is about prayer - this country was founded by men and women who prayed on a regular basis," he said.

Mallory held up his Bible and looked out at the crowd.

"Aiken, we need prayer, I need prayer," he said. "We all need prayer."

The rally will be aired at 9 p.m. tonight on www.peoplestvnetwork.com/channel5.html.

Contact Amy Banton at abanton@aikenstandard.com.