2004-07-30
3 On Council Snub Atheist's Invocation - from TBO.com
We atheists simply must be more tolerant of people of faith.
3 On Council Snub Atheist's Invocation - from TBO.com: Half of the Tampa City Council walked out Thursday when an atheist spoke at a time usually reserved for prayer.
As Harvey, a member of Atheists of Florida, prepared to speak, Councilman Kevin White called for a vote to find a different person to pray or to skip the invocation that traditionally begins council meetings.
White, who cast the only vote for his proposal, said he objected to a "hallowed moment'' being turned over to someone to make a "political statement.''
"I [don't] have to sit here and listen to an atheist tell me what I should and shouldn't believe,'' Alvarez said.
3 On Council Snub Atheist's Invocation - from TBO.com: Half of the Tampa City Council walked out Thursday when an atheist spoke at a time usually reserved for prayer.
As Harvey, a member of Atheists of Florida, prepared to speak, Councilman Kevin White called for a vote to find a different person to pray or to skip the invocation that traditionally begins council meetings.
White, who cast the only vote for his proposal, said he objected to a "hallowed moment'' being turned over to someone to make a "political statement.''
"I [don't] have to sit here and listen to an atheist tell me what I should and shouldn't believe,'' Alvarez said.
