Public Prayer Ban Backed By Federal Court

08.02.11 | Sarah Harnisch

A ban on public prayer has been upheld by a federal court. A lower court's ban on praying in Jesus name prior to public meetings has been upheld by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The ACLU and Americans United for Separation of Church and State initially sued North Board of Commissioners in Forsyth, North Carolina in 2007.  The suit alleged opening prayers for Commissioners meeting mentioned Jesus name.  The county says its legal team will discuss the possibility of appealing the decision.