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He'll persist with council prayer plan
Albany councilman's pitch to begin sessions with prayer unlikely to pass

By JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST, Staff writer
First published in print: Monday, April 12, 2010

ALBANY -- It looks like a pitch to put prayer in Common Council meetings might need divine intervention to pass.
     

The council's operations committee on Thursday night unanimously panned Councilman Anton Konev's pitch to begin each meeting with a prayer.
But Konev, who represents the midtown 11th Ward, said he still plans -- despite almost certain defeat -- to bring the resolution to a vote before the full council.

No other member has publicly supported it.

"I wouldn't introduce pieces of legislation if I didn't believe in them," said Konev. "I believe any proposals should get an up or down vote in any legislature."

He compared his prayer proposal -- which would replace an existing moment of silence that follows the Pledge of Allegiance -- to the fight for a vote on gay marriage in the state Senate. That measure was defeated in December, but Konev said it's important that it got a vote nonetheless. "It's the same way here," he said. "It probably is not going to go my way, but that's the way that proposals work."

Konev, who attends a Russian Orthodox church, proposed the meetings begin with a rotating prayer, reflective of all religious faiths, as a way to showcase the city's ethnic and religious diversity. Konev said a moment of silence alone doesn't accomplish that.

"There's no vocalizing of the fabric of our society," he said. "It's just silence."

A 1983 U.S. Supreme Court decision that found prayer before the Nebraska state Legislature didn't violate the Constitution's establishment clause -- that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion."

And Konev said there are at least 40 state legislatures -- including New York's, for which he works -- that do it.

His many foes on the all-Democrat, 15-member council argue the plan was disrespectful of those who are not observant of any faith.

The committee voted unanimously to send the proposal to the full council with a negative declaration. The next council meeting is April 19.

Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=920073#ixzz0ksxRPQkx

"He compared his prayer proposal -- which would replace an existing moment of silence "

I get so annoyed with both parties who use "moment of silence" instead of saying a prayer. We NEED prayer.

How can even the most politically correct be offended if everyone says a silent prayer in their own faith.

cant they just say the Pledge of Allegiance???? and have a moment of silence to focus on the job they are elected to do......

cant they just say the Pledge of Allegiance???? and have a moment of silence to focus on the job they are elected to do......they could probably do it in a vacant tax paying church.....