(CNSNews.com) - The Chesterfield County (Va.) Board of
Supervisors routinely opens its meetings with prayers led by Christian
clergymen from different denominations. A Wiccan - denied an opportunity to
lead the prayer - sued the Board on Friday, claiming religious discrimination.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia and Americans United for
Separation of Church and State are representing Cynthia Simpson in her lawsuit
( Simpson v. Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors ).
In a joint statement, those groups criticized Chesterfield County officials for
refusing to add Simpson's name to a list of clergy called upon to lead the
Board in prayer.
They also quoted from a letter that Chesterfied County
Attorney Steven Micas sent to Simpson. He told her, "Chesterfield's
non-sectarian invocations are traditionally made to a divinity that is
consistent with the Judeo-Christian tradition.
"Based upon our review of Wicca, it is neo-pagan and invokes polytheistic,
pre-Christian deities. Accordingly, we cannot honor your request to be included
on the list of religious leaders that are invited to provide invocations at the
meetings of the Board of Supervisors."
The letter did not go over well with Simpson. She also says Board members
ridiculed her religious beliefs - one of them reportedly joking, "I hope
she's a good witch, like Glinda." That's a reference to the good witch in
the Wizard of Oz.
Simpson's complaints spurred the ACLU and Americans United into action.
"Government officials do not have the right to discriminate when it comes
to religion," the Rev. Barry Lynn said in a statement. Lynn, the executive
director of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, said
county supervisors "shouldn't be sponsoring prayers at all, but when they
do, they certainly can't play favorites."
The lawsuit asks that Simpson's name be added to the approved list of clergy
members - or that the Board discontinue its opening prayers altogether.
Based on Lynn's statement that county supervisors shouldn't be sponsoring
prayers at all, it appears that the lawsuit may be intended to achieve that
particular outcome.
In the press release, the ACLU's Kent Willis said the Simpson case
"demonstrates why state and religion should always remain
separate.""