Post by Logan on Mar 28, 2017 0:47:06 GMT -6
Despite qualms expressed by the American Civil Liberties Union, Shelby County Juvenile Court officials continued with a planned "prayer circle" outside their Downtown courthouse Tuesday afternoon.
The event, which organizers hoped would have enough people to link arms and circle the Juvenile Court building at 616 Adams, attracted about 50 people. Four Christian pastors and one member of the Jewish clergy spoke or prayed; no one from other faiths spoke.
Organizers said the event was needed to "encourage the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County to pray for our youth involved in the juvenile system and the public servants who work within it."
ACLU officials called the event "problematic" not only because it was held on the steps of a public building, but also because it was advertised through an official Shelby County email that contained the Juvenile Court seal. Leon Gray, a special assistant to Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael, sent that email from his county account last Friday to media members to drum up coverage for the event.
Read more: www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2017/03/21/despite-aclu-qualms-court-holds-prayer-circle-memphis/99408688/
The event, which organizers hoped would have enough people to link arms and circle the Juvenile Court building at 616 Adams, attracted about 50 people. Four Christian pastors and one member of the Jewish clergy spoke or prayed; no one from other faiths spoke.
Organizers said the event was needed to "encourage the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County to pray for our youth involved in the juvenile system and the public servants who work within it."
ACLU officials called the event "problematic" not only because it was held on the steps of a public building, but also because it was advertised through an official Shelby County email that contained the Juvenile Court seal. Leon Gray, a special assistant to Juvenile Court Judge Dan Michael, sent that email from his county account last Friday to media members to drum up coverage for the event.
"When a judge and their employees promote and organize religious activities, we have serious concerns," ACLU Tennessee executive director Hedy Weinberg said Sunday. "It is not acceptable when the assistant to the Juvenile Court judge uses his Shelby County email and the stationery to send out a notice about religious activities on the steps of Juvenile Court."
Read more: www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/local/2017/03/21/despite-aclu-qualms-court-holds-prayer-circle-memphis/99408688/