Sussex County Gives Up The Lord's Prayer - WMDT 47 News - Delmarva's Choice

GEORGETOWN, Del. - You may still be able to hear the Lord's Prayer in Sussex County churches, but not in council meetings.

In a 3-2 vote, the county council agreed to settle a lawsuit which would allow a legislative prayer, but not the Lord's Prayer.

Residents we spoke with say they took it too far. "I think it's ridiculous. We get too wrapped up in religion and what people can and can't do," Cherie Degnan said. "I'm a Hindu, but anytime you take the name of a God to start something,you're not going to be doing too bad. I don't know, some people are just going too overboard about making it equal," a Georgetown resident said.

In June of 2011, Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit on behalf of four Sussex County residents. "In this case, the principle at stake is that government shouldn't demonstrate an alliance between the government and any single religion because it makes other members of the community feels like outsiders," Legal Director Ayesha Khan said.

County Council President Michael Vincent released a statement saying "Prayer is an important part of the lives of so many Sussex Countians. While this body represents all Sussex County residents, who come from a variety of faiths and walks of life, we firmly believe it is our right – and our duty – to honor the traditions of the past, and to ask for divine guidance each week as we conduct the people's business. I am happy that both sides have reached an amicable resolution, one that respects the rule of law, but preserves Council's prerogative to have a legislative prayer," he said.

The terms of the agreement have not been announced, pending court approval.