The Burnie City Council will be asked to consider dropping the opening prayer from its council meetings at its monthly meeting for September tonight.
In a motion to be tabled at tonight’s meeting, Councillor Ken Dorsey says prayer at the beginning of council meetings is no longer reflective of our modern society and the council should consider changes which are more inclusive for the whole community.
Supporting his argument, Councillor Dorsey says 56 per cent of the population is either non-Christian or has no religion at all.
He also points out prayers before a meeting are not a requirement under the Local Government Act
Council general manager Simon Overland has recommended caution in a note included in the agenda.
Mr Overland says such a move is likely to prove controversial.
He says if the council wishes to adopt the motion there should be extensive community consultation to determine if there is general support for such a move, and what, if any substitution should be made.
