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Press Release
July 19, 2010
North Carolina House of
Representatives Chooses
Special Committee to Consider Guest Chaplain Program in
Response to
Charges of Religious Discrimination by North Carolina
Pastor
In
response to a letter from legal counsel for Dr Ron Baity,
pastor of Berean Baptist Church, Winston Salem, NC, the
North Carolina House of Representatives has formed a
Special Committee to consider its guest chaplain program.
The current practice is to invite various North Carolina
religious leaders to offer opening legislative prayers,
but does not allow invitees to pray as their faith
requires, such as prayer in Jesus' Name or to Allah.
Instead, the House mandates a prayer formula for guest
chaplains that only permits the mention of "God."
Dr. Baity's invitation to pray was withdrawn on May 31 by
House Speaker Joe Hackney when the pastor refused to use
the government-mandated prayer formula and insisted on
offering his prayer in Jesus' Name as his faith requires
in John 14:13 (a) "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my
name, that will I do." (King James Bible)
The special committee is composed of four Democrats and
four Republicans. Hearings are being scheduled and Dr.
Baity, along with Attorney David C. Gibbs III of the
Christian Law Association and Gibbs Law Firm, who is
representing the pastor, have been invited to testify when
the committee initiates hearings later this summer. Dr.
Baity said, "I am very appreciative that the House is
taking this important religious liberty issue seriously.
I have received an overwhelming amount of support from the
general public and also from some House members."
The public is invited to contact committee members to
express their thoughts on this issue. The committee is
being chaired by Rep. Paul Stam (Wake County), Republican
Minority Leader. Co-chair is Rep. Deborah K. Ross
(Democrat, Wake County) Other House members serving on
the committee are:
Rep. Johnathan Rhyne, Jr. (Republican, Lincoln County)
Rep. Grey Mills (Republican, Iredell County)
Rep. Laura Wiley (Republican, Guilford County)
Rep. Melanie Wade Goodwin (Democrat, Montgomery and
Richmond Counties)
Rep. William L. Wainwright (Democrat, Craven and Lenoir
Counties)
Rep. Garland E. Pierce (Democrat, Hoke, Robeson and
Scotland Counties) |
