In my view, it is not appropriate for elected or government officials to be performing any sort of religious ritual at a public event while they are acting in their public capacity. Mr. Solo is perfectly entitled to complain about this (although, on account of my tremendous laziness, I wouldn't have bothered if I were him.)
Mayor Atchinson's response was particularly troubling:
Quote:
Atchison said he was caught off-guard by the complaint because many of the events he attends include a prayer before meals.
“I’ve never given it any thought at all,” he said.
Atchison said he is sorry to hear Solo felt excluded.
He suggested in the future, the dinner could feature prayers from different religions on a rotating basis. There could even be a dinner with no prayer at all for atheists, he said.
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Talk about missing the point.
Obviously, people in attendance at such events are perfectly entitled to say their own grace or blessing before they begin eating.