Pocatello City Council: All prayers welcome

For years, each Pocatello City Council meeting has opened with an invocation led by a member of a different faith. It’s a practice the city’s attorney, Kirk Bybee, said will likely continue.

“We’ve had Buddhists, we’ve had a Druid, we’ve had Muslim, we’ve had Jewish faith. We’ve had all the Christian faiths,” said Bybee.

Tuesday morning, at least three Idaho state senators sparked controversy when they waited outside the Senate chamber until a guest chaplain finished delivering a Hindu prayer.

“To invite other religions in that aren’t represented in the legislature I don’t believe is – does anything to strengthen our state or our country,” said Sen. Steve Vick, R-Dalton Gardens.

But Vick’s move is drawing sharp criticism.

“I think it’s kind of silly,” said Pocatello resident Karen Pease, a practicing Baha’i. “Religion is religion, and, you know, it all comes from God.”

Pease said she’s been invited to lead the prayer at multiple Pocatello City Council meetings over the years, and said she’s never had an elected leader object.

“They’re very respectful. I’ve not had any negative response when we’ve gone,” said Pease.

Bybee said the city chooses people to lead prayers from a list of those who’ve already done so. In an effort to represent as many faiths as possible, he said he’s constantly adding people to the list.

But Byee said the prayers haven’t gone without controversy.

“There’s always complaints from someone about this, but there isn’t any complaints with the mayor or the city council,” said Bybee.

Pease said she plans to lead the prayer at Thursday’s council meeting, and hopes to receive the same level of respect she has in the past.

“I think it’s fine to share different writings and prayers with anybody,” said Pease.