SASKATOON – City administrators in Saskatoon have come up with proposed greetings to be used at civic gatherings.
It comes after atheist Ashu Solo filed a complaint stating a prayer said at a volunteer banquet by Councillor Randy Dounaer in April 2012 violated his human rights and infringed on the separation of church and state.
A report heading to executive council says both its proposed greetings “reflect general and inclusive language and can be non-denominational and secular in nature.”
It would be concluded with a statement or a simple “amen” followed by a moment of silence.
If approved, the greetings would apply to all events funded and sponsored by the city or any member of council or city employee appearing at an event as representative of the city.
While Solo says it is a step in the right direction, there are some items he wants addressed before he will drop his complaint.
“If the city drops the idea of a moment of silence and makes a few minor tweaks to the suggested pre-meal meditation and generic event meditation, I’m willing to drop my civil rights case,” said Solo.
He also wants the word “amen” dropped from the greetings and the invitation for people to bow their heads.
Solo says the mayor and councillors should accept his proposals and stop wasting taxpayers’ money.
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The city’s report goes to the executive committee on Monday afternoon.
City’s proposed greeting with meal
Let us together bow our heads.
We take this moment to pause, before the enjoyment of a meal well-prepared for our celebration, to recognize and appreciate the gifts from nature provided, the work of human hands contributed, and sacrifice represented for our benefit.
Each of us have our own beliefs. Whether we are thankful for the bounty provided by one God or many, from a great spirit energy that is common to us all, or simply from the good people behind the door to the kitchen, we are all together in this moment, full of the grace that comes from being thankful for a gift that is given.
May we all enjoy the gift that is the good meal before us.
Amen.
City’s proposed greeting without meal
Thank you for life and the world, for everyone with whom we share this together.
Thank you for today. Let us choose today’s goals wisely and live today perfectly.
Let us ensure that we love and respect ourselves and others.
Guide us through our lives to live gracefully.
Amen.
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