U.S. Supreme Court: Prayer Before Public Meetings Doesn't Violate First Amendment

Prayers before public meetings do not violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, according to a U.S. Supreme Court decision issued Monday, May 5. Five justices agree that the primarily Christian prayers offered before city meetings in Greece, New York, do not establish a preferred religion if they are not conducted in a coercive manner. Justices also cite a long tradition of prayers before public meetings.