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A new School Board member faces complaints after opposing Christian prayers at meetings.
By BARBARA BEHRENDT
© St. Petersburg Times, published November 16, 2000
INVERNESS -- A School Board member for barely half a day, Carol Snyder was already getting blistering phone calls on Wednesday as soon as some people read their morning paper about some of her initial ideas.
During her first meeting after getting sworn in on Tuesday afternoon, Snyder suggested that the board stop using strictly Christian prayers at the opening of meetings. Instead, she suggested some other format acknowledging "almighty God" thatwould be more inclusive of people of other faiths.
Some called her first thing to say they were sorry they voted for her and never would again. Others accused her of not being a real Christian.
But Snyder, who is Catholic, said she was taking it in stride and was firm that the board had to stop prayers "in Christ's name" or specifically addressed to Jesus Christ.
"I've been sensitive to this for a very long time," she said. "I don't want to do away with prayer. I want to find a prayer that will be inclusive. I don't want people to feel excluded."
Snyder said she was not opposed to more generic prayers at board meetings or even moments of silence. But from the first time she attended a School Board meeting in Citrus and heard the Christian prayers, she felt uncomfortable.
"If I were a Jewish person sitting in the audience, I'd think that they didn't want me there, they were not sensitive to my beliefs," she said. "I have been a Christian all of my life, but I believe that we are all brothers and sisters in God's eyes . . . and I want to include and show respect for everyone."
Snyder said she wants to use a prayer format like the one recommended by the Council of Churches. That way, members of all faiths can feel the prayer reflects their beliefs.
"There is a great diversity of religions in Citrus County," she said. "I'm just extremely sensitive to this,and I don't think I have the right to impose my beliefs on them."
Snyder, who had served on a school board in Ohio for 16 years before moving to the county, said that in her town there, someone had raised an issue about a sign on public property encouraging people to attend the church of their choice on Sunday. A lawsuit resulted that ended all kinds of displays and Christmas decorations around the city.
"I just think that when things like this occur, we should be proactive and not reactive," she said.