In Bladen County, almost every meeting — civic, government or community — is opened with a prayer. It’s been that way for … well, a very long time.

But all that could soon change, at least for boards served by elected officials, if a federal appeals court in Richmond, Va., decides in favor of a couple of busy-body zealots who have sued the Rowan County Board of Commissioners.

While we certainly understand the need for separation of church and state, there is nothing about a prayer — Christian or otherwise — that would cause someone to feel that government body is trying to pressure them into a certain religious thinking.

Honestly, what are people so afraid of? Christians are still the majority in the country, and their prayers surely aren’t going to instantly change someone who happens to hear one. Nobody is forced to listen to it or participate in it. They don’t have to stand or bow their head — they can choose to do nothing or instead say something of their own choosing.

This country as a whole is being forced to bow down to the minority on almost every front, and our Christian values should never be one of them. What’s next, our alphabet being forced to change because Hawaiians only recognize 13 letters? Silly? Sure, but so is this nonsensical attack on our historical beliefs.

A presidential candidate recently said that America has become so politically correct that it can’t function anymore, and that is true. Folks of other races, creeds and beliefs — or non-beliefs — should always be welcome here. But they should not be allowed to reshape what helped make this country great.

We are hoping the federal appeals court will strike down the lawsuit against prayer before county commissioners meetings. If it decides the other way, it will also affect school board, town board and other government meetings. And it’s time those who are nothing more than fanatical and uncompromising zealots start to lose.

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Farewell to the Cannons

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We are sad to be saying farewell to a friend of many in Bladen County, but we are also excited for the opportunity he has been given to serve God in a different way and in a different community.

The Rev. Bruce Cannon, who has served the Bladen Baptist Association for the past 16 years and another 10-plus year before that as pastor of Galeed Baptist Church in Bladenboro, will soon be leaving us for a pulpit in Mitchell County. He and his wife Wendy, who has also been a mainstay with the BBA, will be returning to the North Carolina mountains they love.

There aren’t words enough to express how much Cannon has meant to Bladen County and the positive impact he has had on so many lives. But in a nutshell, we can offer this: Bruce and Wendy Cannon will be sorely missed and never forgotten.

We wish you both well.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s hard to forget someone who gave so much to remember.”