Nonbelievers' Challenge to House Prayers Allowed to Proceed

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A federal judge in Pennsylvania has kept alive a lawsuit by nonbelievers who want to be allowed to give invocations at the start of state House sessions.

U.S. District Judge Christopher Conner ruled Friday the case will continue on the claim that the practice violates the Establishment Clause of the Constitution's First Amendment, prohibiting the establishment of religion by the government.

The judge said he's allowing the section of the lawsuit to continue that argues the policy favors "theism to nontheism and excessively entangl(es) the House in religious judgment, and coerc(es) House visitors to participate in theistic prayer."

He dismissed portions of the case that alleged violations of people's right to free speech, free exercise of religion and equal protection under the law.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/pennsylvania/articles/2017-04-29/nonbelievers-challenge-to-house-prayers-allowed-to-proceed