Prayers will continue before Rowan County commission meetings, as officials contemplate the next step in a federal lawsuit relating to their prayer practices.

 

A federal judge ruled earlier this month that Rowan County commissioners must stop opening their meetings with prayers that almost always referred to Christianity.

At issue was how the prayers were delivered.

 U.S. District Judge James Beaty Jr. ruled that when commissioners gave the prayers themselves, it violated the U.S. constitution's separation between church and state.

 The Salisbury Post reports Pastor Michael Taylor will give the opening invocation during Monday's meeting. His selection dates back to 2013 when commissioners adopted an alternate policy for opening prayers. This procedure will remain in in effect until commissioners decide if they will appeal.

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