Prayer and the pledge come back to Texas city meetings

Our take: Weatherford, Texas, eliminated the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer of invocation from their government meetings nearly 40 years ago. However, recently the Weatherford City Council voted to bring them back after a petition was circulated by a local ministerial group. Although some disagreed with the move, the motion was passed, 4 to 1.

The church-state environment in Weatherford, Texas, differs greatly from the non-theist sentiment that so regularly overtakes communities across America. On Tuesday, the first time in nearly four decades, the Weatherford City Council voted four to one on Tuesday to usher back in the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation at meetings.

Last month, the Parker County Ministerial Alliance petitioned for the return of these elements at government gatherings. Initially, politicians were hesitant and they discussed merely adding a moment of silence, but those in support of something more specific petitioned leaders to delve deeper.

Prayer is beneficial to the whole city, saying we are under God, explained Alliance President Scott Wilson.

But one resident, Bobbie Narramore, disagreed, contending that adding the prayer was exclusionary to those who dont believe, CBS DFW reports.

I am against an invocation, he said. I am for the separation of the church and state.

Read more about Texas voting prayer and pledge back in on The Blaze.