littleboy <allen.strong@comflycast.net> wrote in
news:MPG.1b60b9289d290f7e9896ab@news.comcast.giganews.com:

Like a lot of older folks, Maryland resident Margaret Sayre enjoys
taking meals at a nearby senior center. She doesn't have to cook and
gets some social interaction at the same time.

But there was one thing about the practice that bothered Sayre: The
meals at the Brooklyn Park Senior Center open with Christian prayers
led by an attendee. Sayre says she had no problem when the meals
opened with a moment of silence, but when Christian prayers became the
norm, she wondered if that was appropriate at a government-funded
facility.

Sayre began making inquiries with local officials. She also posted
e-mail messages on a forum run by the Maryland Atheist Network,
seeking advice.

Somehow, one of these messages ended up in the hands of Del. Don Dwyer
Jr. of Glen Burnie, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Infuriated, Dwyer sent a letter to Sayre.

"You state it is not fair for you, or anyone else who is not a
Christian, to have to listen to others prayers in order to have a nice
meal with other senior citizens," Dwyer wrote. "You go on to ask, 'is
there any law that would help me change this practice?' If the atheist
(sic) of Maryland want something different then I would suggest
building an atheist Senior Center where you won't have to hear any
prayers but leave my people alone."

The rest can be read here:
http://blog.au.org/2004/07/bigotry_at_lunc.html

Reposted to its more appropriate home, and followups directed to,
alt.atheism

littleboy <allen.strong@comflycast.net> wrote in
news:MPG.1b60b9289d290f7e9896ab@news.comcast.giganews.com:

Like a lot of older folks, Maryland resident Margaret Sayre enjoys
taking meals at a nearby senior center. She doesn't have to cook and
gets some social interaction at the same time.

But there was one thing about the practice that bothered Sayre: The
meals at the Brooklyn Park Senior Center open with Christian prayers led
by an attendee. Sayre says she had no problem when the meals opened with
a moment of silence, but when Christian prayers became the norm, she
wondered if that was appropriate at a government-funded facility.

Sayre began making inquiries with local officials. She also posted
e-mail messages on a forum run by the Maryland Atheist Network, seeking
advice.

Somehow, one of these messages ended up in the hands of Del. Don Dwyer
Jr. of Glen Burnie, a member of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Infuriated, Dwyer sent a letter to Sayre.

"You state it is not fair for you, or anyone else who is not a
Christian, to have to listen to others prayers in order to have a nice
meal with other senior citizens," Dwyer wrote. "You go on to ask, 'is
there any law that would help me change this practice?' If the atheist
(sic) of Maryland want something different then I would suggest building
an atheist Senior Center where you won't have to hear any prayers but
leave my people alone."

The rest can be read here:
http://blog.au.org/2004/07/bigotry_at_lunc.html

Reposted to its more appropriate home, and followups directed to,
alt.atheism