"In God We Trust" is good enough for the federal government, but apparently not so in Waukegan where the city's new mayor has banned an opening prayer at City Council meetings, instead opting for a "moment of silence." Wouldn't it be nice to silence politicians for a long time, instead of just a moment?
After having a prayerful invocation since the 1990s, Mayor Robert Sabonjian has made the City Council ungodly by removing this usually uneventful paen to the Almighty. Prayers for public bodies usually don't cause a stir. In this case, the mayor's heavy hand may do the opposite. Just another case of Christians being pushed to the background. Next thing you know, there go the downtown Christmas decorations.
The Hound doesn't recall getting rid of the opening prayer as one of the mayor's campaign platforms. Perhaps this is part of his cost-cutting moves, because the city paid $50 to Bishop Joseph Coburn of the All Nations Church of God Holiness in Christ for each of his twice-a-month invocations.
If saving money is the ultimate goal, then perhaps the mayor and City Council can call dial-a-prayer to petition the Lord. That's free.
