The best way to kill religion is to integrate it with the state.

Come on Galloway and WORLD! A basic prayer of please give us strength and guidence for our state, town and city. Protect all that serve. AMEN! If someone does not want to be included in prayer then then can enter meeting late. or say their own to themselves. What is this world comming to. We need to all take responsibility and make the difference lots of things are changing in this world and towns and not for the good, its not bad to ask for a little help!

The passion of the community is commendable, but it seemed as though the pastors and some residents lost focus of the problem at hand. If you were at the meeting, this ideal of a separation of church and state spoke for itself, it was like sitting in a church service for hours. Some Pastors gave a prayer ending in Jesus name, one woman talked about being saved by Jesus etc. These people just don't get it. We aren't in Church! They were focusing on how council was disrespecting them, but in reality they were not being sensitive and respectful to others. That's why, as explained clearly buy mayor, council and legal that they need to come up with something to protect their town not just in litigation but also as mostly everyone said, all religious faiths. They keep intertwining Jesus and God and that's the problem. When clergy gave prayer, they were all really good until the ending. If they would just end with something inclusive of all then there wouldn't be a problem. The one girl stood up for it at the meeting and she was right. It is almost as if people are bullying to get their religious beliefs out there. Although probably not intentional but they are disrespecting others by forcing their beliefs and then telling the others that they are disrespecting them. Whatever the case, we need to all come together as American's and love one another no matter what religion, race, sex etc. God Bless America!

Matthew 6:5-8:

And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

It is a sad commentary when prayer is the subject of division and controversy. Why can we not have a prayer thanking God for all we have. Too many people constanly complain about what they want and do not have instead of appreciating all the blessings that God has given us.
Jo Mongiello

Instead of complaining about prayer I wish more people would complain when someone in the peanut gallery raises a nonsensical issue. I would favor a Gong Show format where the panel gives someone the gong when they blabber on about some goofy issue.

There is no controversy; the government of Galloway Township needs to follow the established fact of separation of church and state! Why is this so difficult? Perhaps
these so-called citizens never heard of the constitution, among other things. It's a government function, not a religious gathering for pete's sake! Get real Galloway.

Prayer doesn't hurt, prayer gives love and understanding n strength to try make the right decision life for everyone. Why do have to take it to different level, America was founded under god by our forth fathers. So doesn't have to b Christian, muslin, n so on everybody in one way or another believes there is a god. So pray out lound or pray in silent, just pray please .

@ Marlene, Personally, I don't believe in any God or gods, and know plenty of people in Galloway who don't. But we are decent American citizens who see these things as attempts to exclude. Nobody's stopping private prayer here, just trying to make sure our government remains neutral on theological matters.

This is funny. This discussion started because one person was 'offended'. You know whats really offensive? Living in a town that's the laughing stock of South Jersey, living in a town that is going to be saddled with the results of multi-million dollar lawsuits the township is sure to loose, living in a town that is again reducing its police force, living in a town where public services are non-existent, living in a town that has to give every single municipal employee a layoff notice. Those are things I find personally offensive. Maybe this was the 'wit'less wonder's way of distracting the public from the total disaster that this council has made of Galloway. Here's an idea, stop worrying about stuff that really doesn't matter and fix the real problems this town has. Personally I could care less if a prayer is said before a meeting or not. I understand the separation of church and state, it is good to keep those things apart, to many people with to many different opinions, which leads to nothing ever being accomplished. Galloway has real problems, and our local braintrust has decided this is one they need to have a committee decide on what to do next. For this to be an item anyone has to waste their time on shows that the only thing Ms. Ullman is doing is wasting space up on the dais. How about you seven mental midgets actually try and do some good for the residents that elected you instead of further pushing your own agendas.

John 14:6
Jesus said, ' I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the father but by me. The "no one", He referred to includes Jews and Gentiles. Jews are not saved because they are God's chosen people, but because they beleive in Jesus Christ as their Messianic. Jews who have accepted Yeshua ( The hebrew word for "JESUS" as their Messiah.
This removable of prayer has been written, these days would come. This action does not alarm us but strengthens and confirms God's word. We will continue to pray for those who are placed in government postions. They are todays phararisees and sadducees. Everyone has a voice, but the best sounds are those coming from a humble heart, which can't be silence for even a momment.

We all just went through a major natural catastrophe, some were not at fortunate than others. We are all trying to pick up the pieces and rebuild our homes and lives. A 30 BILLION dollar cleanup and restoration of our Jersey shores. So when at our local township council meeting, you would think we would discuss our progress and township ordinances. NO! people are focusing on an issue about an invocation prayer and how they are offended for not saying particular religious references with in that prayer. This was and always should be a non-denominational saying of good faith before a PUBLIC meeting. Despite your religious beliefs, this is a government regulated agency not an institution of prayer and religious practices! Come on, this took up the meeting minutes when there is so much havoc on our community and current pressing issues. Let council do their job and stop wasting taxpayers time because 3 people want their preferred religious orator to commence a prayer that focuses on their personal faith.

Here's a little history..."It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists but by Christians, not on religions but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ"....Patrick Henry 1765

"The Lenape people have been here for thousands of years with their own non-Christian spiritual tradition."

Interesting how when something bad happens people either turn to a vice or God.
9/11 as an example
Why is it so hard to have a prayer when people say for "Gods sake" or "Jesus Christ" as swear words?
Galloway can sure use prayer and so can other towns. If it is said before the meeting I do not see any harm done. I realize their should be a separation of church and state but this is not a state meeting people! It is simply a TOWN meeting.

Are we really back to this again. How about "Suffer the Little Children" or don't they and their Families count since some of the Galloway Employees an those Lost in the last 3-4 years whom have lost their Jobs and for those who will in 30 Days. I guess they don't need bread on their Tables, or clothes on their Backs. But all you who are worrying about Prayer in a Council Meeting, just keep worrying about prayer while you sleep warm and open lots of unnecessary presents and pretend to care about your fellow man. We put our trust and livelyhood in the hands of your Beloved "wasn't he a Deacon?", Steve bonani, whom caused Permanant Damage to many Ex-Employees and obviously "Lots of Children". I bet you still Pray for Bonani, sleep on That!

Wake up fellow citizens! This is another red herring tossed about by the republican led council. The real issues are a budgetary crisis, lay-offs of critical personel and a proposed one million dollar revaluation of properties that in no way guarantees to stop the flood of property tax appeals. Our council needs to spend less time on praying (doing and talking about it) and more time on fixing our fiscal mess.

More history...."We recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus!....John Adams...John Hancock - April 18, 1775.

Don't worry, folks. Sharia law is on its way.

oh for gods sake" excuse the expression". is this what council needs to be talking about?.get off the prayer,have a moment of silence and get on to the real issues!!!

Try this Quote on for size....lol....From the Office of the Chaplain , United States House of Representatives ...First Prayer of the Continental Congress 1774 - (Last line) "All this we ask in the name and through the merits of Jesus Christ , Thy Son and our Savior. Amen ....Reverend Jacob Duche - Rector of Christ Church of Philadelphia , Pennsylvania Sept 7, 1774 9AM. (Office of Chaplain Phone # 202 225- 2509)

I didn't make up any of those quotes...I got them off different websites. So by you saying I made those quotes up...your actually making up a fake story about me. Get it?....

Some people say landing on the Moon was fake....Who's right?.....Show me your neat research where there is no mention of God by the Founding Fathers.

"In God We Trust"....has the government ever printed that phrase & put it on say money?....lol

ANNUIT COEPTIS

"An invocation should be made to Michi Manitou, the Great Spirit of the Lenape People who have lived in Absegami (Galloway Township) for 12,000 years, way before the European invasion and occupation."

What I noticed more than anything else was the hypocrisy of many of those calling themselves "Christians." They speak of tolerance then in the next breath warn of imminent condemnation of those who do not accept Jesus as their savior. They want to hang their halos on "tolerance" yet have no tolerance for others that do not believe as they do. I believe in Jesus but not the dogma of those who claim to speak in his name. I have some bible quotes of my own but christian bigots and their "men of the cloth" would only dismiss me and condemn me. Thank God the Mayor is at least a sensible person.

BTW I could care less what God anyone invokes or believes in. My problem is, has been, and always will be, bigots, liars and thieves hiding in the church and using it to promote their own childish self righteous nonsense. You better hope that no religion gets a foot up on imposing their dogma, you all know the history there. Mankind has not matured to the point where we yet tolerate others beliefs when the majority are in control and have the power to oppress. Do some research on that issue and you will understand what separation of church and state is. The evangelicals and Bible thumpers on this blog know nothing except emotional hysteria and dogma.