The National Secular Society has warned councillors in Kent that plans to introduce prayers at council meetings will “throw fuel on the fire of community tensions”.
Last Thursday, a Kent County Council committee voted to consider plans to begin each meeting with the ‘Lord’s Prayer’.
Councillors from the Conservative Party, Green Party and Liberal Democrats voiced their opposition. Support came from Reform UK and Restore Britain councillors, who claimed Britain is a ‘Christian country’.
Kent County Council came under Reform control last May. Reform councillors also imposed prayers on Derbyshire County Council last year after the party took control of the council.
The National Secular Society (NSS) has today written to all councillors urging them to oppose the proposal.
Prayers “would cause unnecessary division”
In its letter, the NSS said introducing prayers “would cause unnecessary division at a time when we need, more than ever, to bring people of different religions and beliefs together”.
It disputed claims that Britain is a ‘Christian country’, highlighting that most Britons are not Christian. Introducing council prayers would therefore “send entirely the wrong message to our diverse communities” and “alienate the non-Christian majority”, the NSS said.
A report from the Selection and Member Services Committee notes regarding the prayers: “There is a need to make sure that the practices of KCC do not discriminate against any section of the public, nor make them feel excluded”.
The NSS argued prayers would be “inherently exclusionary” of those who do not pray at all, and those whose prayers are not Christian.
It said introducing prayers “will throw fuel on the fire of community tensions and religious division”.
“…we should operate this council in a wholly secular manner”
At last week’s meeting, Conservative councillor Andrew Kennedy opposed the plans, saying: “I wasn’t elected as a religious representative, and the decisions I make are not guided by God or any other religious leader.
“They are guided by my principles as an elected politician and the people I represent.”
He said he would “find it very difficult, if not hypocritical, to remain in a chamber where part of that was in a religious service”.
Green councillor Mark Hood said: “I firmly believe that religion is a personal matter and that we should operate this council in a wholly secular manner, to respect the followers of all religions and none”.
Lib Dem councillor Antony Hook (pictured) said: “I think it’s really inappropriate to, in this workplace, take on a religious practice and imply that one faith will have some special status over the staff and members of different religions or of no religion at all”.
He also pointed out “many Christians feel that it is wrong for them to be performative about their faith”.
Fellow Lib Dem councillor Tim Prater said introducing prayers would lead to “conflict between groups and between members in this chamber”.
The plans will now be considered further at a future Kent County Council meeting.
Many councils have stopped holding prayers before meetings to make them inclusive of people of all religions and beliefs. This includes St Albans City and District Council, which voted last year to end prayers because they may “exclude or alienate individuals of different faiths or those without religious beliefs”.
NSS: Councillors are elected to represent people, not gods
NSS head of campaigns Megan Manson said: “The UK is seeing increasing problems relating to religious sectarianism, extremism and hate.
“Councils are key to challenging these issues and fostering social cohesion. Introducing prayers at meetings would be entirely at odds with this role.
“As councillors pointed out, they are not elected to represent gods, but the diverse people of Kent. Prayers should not form part of local government business.”
The NSS encourages supporters in Kent to write to their councillors opposing these plans. You can contact councillors here.