You're always in our prayers

Who'd have thought a judge in all his, or her, finery in London would be called upon to decide whether Bideford Town Council - motto: crap and proud of it (yes, I did make that up) - should be allowed to say prayers before meetings. The reason it has come to the point where a leading member of the judiciary is required to decide whether Bideford's finest brains (obviously, I exaggerate) should offer up a prayer to a supernatural being before settling matters of great import such as dog poop, double yellow lines and extra-terrestrial visitations is that the National Secular Society has intervened. Said society claims that it is not right that a body such as the town council should spend any of its time saying prayers. Presumably their argument revolves around the whole purpose of what the town council is for. Well search me, I don't know and I doubt that any member of the town council could give a coherent explanation.

As someone who has sat through many town council meetings - as an observer, not a participant - I have to say I would be at a loss to explain what it is the town council thinks it is achieving ever, let alone when its members say prayers. However, the question I would pose to the National Secular Society is what harm does it do for a bunch of "community-minded" citizens to offer up a prayer before spending up to three, or even four, hours talking drivel. The thing is, if saying prayers is an empty exercise does it really do any harm, on the other hand, if it works, then surely it should be encouraged.

Battle lines are being drawn and, as a Bideford council tax payer, I fear that the end result will be a greater demand for the already exorbitant amount of money I have to stump up for the town council. I suspect that both camps are so determined to win the fight that nothing will stop them doing battle. What a shame, then, that the town council did not pursue the suggestion of veteran councillor Peter Christie. Known in some quarters as "Hot Tub Pete" (for reasons which have no basis in fact or reality) Councillor Christie's idea was that prayers should not be included on the agenda but that any councillors wishing to offer up a few choice words to the Almighty could get together beforehand and do their thing.

It was a sensible suggestion - in my view - which had all the benefits of compromise, but surprisingly, even in this era of coalition government, it was not one which gained any support. Oh well, let battle commence.