Religious Liberty

October 19, 2004
Section: Metro
Edition: Cape Coral
Page: B2

Cape hears secular invocation
Don Ruane
Staff

druane@news-press.com
The long-awaited secular invocation by an atheist took place Monday before the Cape Coral City Council meeting. No one walked out or protested. Council members stood with their hands folded in front of them, some with their heads bowed, while Tom Clark gave the 153-word invocation. "I thought it went very well after all I went through to get to this point," said Clark, who lives in northwest Cape Coral. He first asked in February for a chance to give the invocation.

City Councilwoman Gloria Tate agreed that Clark's invocation was appropriate. "He respected the process," she said. And he made some good points about how council members should work for the betterment of the city, Tate said.

Clark asked the council members to keep their eyes "open wide to the problems that we face as a city." He encouraged them to "draw strength and encouragement from one another through compassion and reason." Clark said he wanted to give voice to secular residents of the city who do not believe in a god or higher power.

The city attorney researched his February request and concluded the city had no formal policy for invocation speakers. She also suggested a moment of silence as the way least likely to draw a judicial challenge. At one point Clark talked about suing the city. "I just wanted to make sure I got my constitutional right," Clark said.

Now he said he just wants to remain on the list of invocation speakers.

Secular Invocation

What makes this country great is not that everyone thinks alike but the diversity of its people.

We are gathered today, both religious and secular members of our community, with the shared belief that we must treat each other with dignity and respect.

In this invocation I don't ask you to bow your heads, but to look up at what you can accomplish by working together in a civil manner.

I don't ask you to close your eyes, but to keep them open wide to the problems that we face as a city.

With your talents and insight you can lead this community to a better future.

As you work together on behalf of all who live in this city, may you draw strength and encouragement from one another through compassion and reason.

Remember, being a member of the majority doesn't necessarily make you right, just part of a group that thinks alike.