POMPANO BEACH -- Jesus' name is welcome here once again.
Pressured by about two dozen ministers who attended this week's commission meeting to protest a new religion-neutral city plan, a majority of commissioners say they will accept references to specific religions and deities in invocations before commission meetings.
"We are going steadfast on the issue of them allowing us to pray in the name of Jesus," O'Neal Dozier, pastor of The Worldwide Christian Center in Pompano Beach, said on Wednesday. "It is a freedom of speech issue. And this country is founded on Christianity, the principles of Christianity, not the principles of Buddhism, not the principles of Judaism. I don't believe the developers of the Constitution would want us to compromise our Christian values."
The prayers have been a long-standing tradition here, most delivered by Christian pastors who used Jesus' name. But resident Sherry Scharf complained last month that religion doesn't belong at a government meeting, and she didn't like being blessed "in Jesus' name."
The city, fearing a lawsuit and worried about offending residents, reacted quickly.
A letter by City Clerk Mary Chambers was drafted at the city attorney's recommendation and mailed to area religious leaders that said: "Since the invocation will be given at a public government meeting, our legal counsel has respectfully asked that your inspirational message be applicable to all faiths and include all persons in our diverse community, and that no specific religion or religious deity be mentioned or promoted in any way."
Tuesday night, religious leaders showed up en masse to complain. They were flanked by congregants from the large and influential Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in neighboring Fort Lauderdale, who applauded their comments and stood in support.
Rev. Kirby Thurston, of the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Pompano Beach who attended the commission meeting, said Wednesday pastors were standing firm in their convictions.
"Like some of the speakers said, Jesus is the foundation of our faith. If we want to receive what we are asking for in the prayer, we must use his name," Thurston said. "If you are going to allow Christians to be part of the community, expect Christians to pay taxes, [then you have to understand] praying in Jesus' name is part of being Christian."
A majority of commissioners said they have no intention of enforcing the city attorney's recommendation.
The decision marks the most recent triumph of religion over state. Earlier this month, a federal judge ruled Broward county officials cannot exclude a religious-themed display from the popular Holiday Festival of Lights. And federal investigators are looking onto whether Hollywood's attempt to stop all services at Chabad Lubavitch violates federal laws.
Mayor Kay McGinn appealed to ministers to give religion-neutral prayers, but added, "If it's not possible, then you can pray in any way you want."
The letter sent to religious leaders "is a legal maneuver in case we are sued. It's to show for future lawsuits we are making an attempt to have a fair policy," she said after the meeting. "But I guess it won't be enforced. It can't be enforced."
Even so, McGinn hopes ministers will be sensitive to the issue.
"I would hope people are sensitive to the religious rights of others. You want to respect the rights of minorities, and we have religious minorities," she said.
City Attorney Gordon Linn said Wednesday his office will take no further action unless commissioners ask for additional advice.
Dozier said he interpreted the commission's remarks as a green light. Only Commissioner George Brummer was firm against making prayer religion-specific, and Dozier said he wasn't persuaded. He said the ministers have no intention of abiding by the city's request.
Commission Susan Foster said she expects commissioners will not enforce the religion-neutral policy suggested by Linn.
"I don't even want to take a position on this," she said. "We have prayer in the name of God, and that is fine with me."
Scharf said she's saddened the city attorney's recommendation was "a weak attempt" that won't create change after all. "I'm so livid," she said. "They are buckling under the pressure because they are the majority."
Activist Jessie Guido urged the commission to nix prayer entirely.
"I come to a commission meeting to hear business of the commission; I don't come to a pulpit," she said. "If I want their prayers I'll go to their church."