A CONTENTIOUS proposal to scrap prayer from council meetings has been described as an attack on Christianity.
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Wagga councillor Paul Funnell said Christians were "by far, the largest single group and the majority of the city's population," according to the census data.
It is because of this, Cr Funnell will push to keep the prayer that opens the bi-monthly meetings.
This proposal is one of several suggested changes in the council's draft Code of Meeting Practice document, which is on public exhibition. An affirmation, the national anthem and a non-denominational prayer have been offered as alternatives.
But, Cr Funnell said the nation was built on Christian principles that have served the democratic process well.
"The majority of our population, and our whole system, has been built around Christianity, so please respect us being the largest group," he said. "This discussion is a part of the democratic process, but the left is shoving it down our throats."
Wagga City Council is not the first council to float the idea with some throughout the country already removing the practice.
In Cr Funnell's opinion, it represents an "ongoing attack on Christianity".
"They have turned away from God and I feel for them, but it is their choice," he said.
Peter Anthony Delaney, of Wagga, was "astounded" by the idea because the country was built on Christian values.
"The prayer just means they're all under the same umbrella - understanding why they are councillors and why they need to be honest in all dealings and decisions," he said.
Mr Delaney believes in prayer, saying the councillors should not have that right removed. However, he has not thought "too deeply" on how other faiths could be represented at the meetings.
"If councillors don't believe in prayer, that's fair enough, but there are some who believe," he said. "Most official openings have a smoking ceremony, but we still participate even if we don't believe, so what's the difference between the two?"
Kat van der Wijngaart, of Wagga, said getting rid of prayer does not mean people cannot have faith, but shows one religion is not favoured by the government.
Mrs van der Wijngaart believes a non-denominational promise would be more inclusive for all faiths.
"We have become a multicultural country and to favour one religion over the other is not right," she said.
"The purpose of having prayer there is for the councillors to promise to act with integrity and in the interests of their constituents - and those promises can be made without religion.
"You do not have to swear on the Bible to make it so."
The council's Code of Practice is on public exhibition until May 27, but submissions can be made until June 10.
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