Small town politics often don’t shy away from overt religiosity. Invocations that open council meetings, often sectarian despite legal qualms, are an indication of this. I’m a bit surprised, though, to see the Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris be so explicit in his state of the city address:
“We’re growing a Christian community, and don’t let anybody shy away from that,” Parris told the audience of ministers gathered for his address.
“I need [Lancaster residents] standing up and saying we’re a Christian community, and we’re proud of that,” the mayor said.
Parris’ statements drew critical responses from the Muslim Public Affairs Council and CAIR.

































