Are atheists irreverent?

While I respect atheist Chris Allen's concern that one religion should not dominate any political or public group, I can't see how having a "reverence" at our school board meetings, which may include a prayer, is hurtful to him or to any atheist. My understanding of this practice is that school board members are given the opportunity to show reverence in the way they deem appropriate.

It is a wonderful thing that all members of the school board participate in something bigger than they are and that they are given the opportunity to verbally show reverence for it. However, Chris Allen says that "having a reverence discriminates against atheists" (Dec. 4). Do atheists not reverence anything?

Jennifer B. Seely

Tooele