Tulsa (OK) City Council Meeting

30 August 2012 | Dan Nerren | 200 words (1:35)

Let us open our hearts to the welfare of all people in our community by respecting the inherent dignity and worth of each person, and realize our differences of race, religion, and party affiliation are merely superficial. Our common humanity unites us all, and may we recognize that through our interdependence we share a common fate.

In order to achieve the greatest good as citizens of Tulsa, it is important for us to maintain an open mind, and honor and respect the human rights of each other. We should consider the benefit provided by differing perspectives, and be willing to question assumptions that serve only to obstruct our path to progress.

Rather than bowing our heads and closing our eyes in deference, we should open our eyes widely to face the reality that confronts us, without losing sight of our ideals of what we could achieve. Through the prudent use of reason and compassion we can ensure the success of this great city. Lastly, we must remember that in the face of adversity we need not look above for answers, but instead recognize the proven potential within ourselves and in each other to overcome any challenges we face. Thank you.

Escambia (FL) County Board of County Commissioners

9 August 2012 | David Suhor | 219 words (1:46)

[NOTE: David shared on the YouTube page that he never made claims about being a Christian musician, but he let his credentials lead the Board to believe what they would. Regardless of his faith or faithlessness, we are glad to share his invocation here. Thanks David!]

Anyone's Invocation
Heads bowed...
Mother, father, gods of ALL people,
we come today in our humble way to shape a small part of your creation
Gathering to a task, in your diverse and glorious presence,
together we invoke your unique blessings and your life essence

May the efforts of this council blend
the justness of Allah with the wisdom of Odin
May Mithra the everlasting ground them with the grace of mother Gaia
May Yahweh forgive their shortcomings and Beddru foresee their salvation
MAKE light their mission, Brahma and Dionysus
and imbue each decision with the mercy of Isis

Whatever your virtues, name or form,
may we be worthy of this wholly equal assemblage
BaHA and Elohim we beseech you Krishna and Ek Onkar, come
illuminate our civic path by moon, water, earth and sun

And we praise YOU, Jehovah of Christ, Huītzilopōchtli, and Ba'al
for the sanguine sacrifice that frees us all
And for the bounty of reason, science and logic, we thank the ONE deity
none of us knows, that of humanist, atheist and agnostic

Divine love, lead us, enlightened by Buddha and Eshu, empowered by Thetan spirits
that we may govern with the wisdom and the good of ALL gods of our nation
PLEASE impart our humble congregation
with prudence, prosperity and peace this day
and so we pray, AMEN

Portage (MI) City Council

July 2012 | Tim Earl | 394 words

I represent no congregation or denomination. But I appreciate the invitation to give this invocation on behalf of the non-believers in our city, which includes those who do not subscribe to any particular religious group and those who deny the existence of a supreme being altogether.

It’s easy to forget or pretend that we don’t exist because we are a small minority. But polls indicate that we are the fastest growing religious demographic in America right now.

We include doctors, lawyers, teachers, and people of all walks of life who live moral lives and contribute to the welfare of our community. As a veteran I can even assure you that there are indeed atheists in foxholes, contrary to popular belief.

And so, while I would prefer that the practice of invocations be discontinued, I recognize that that is unlikely to happen here in the near future, so I thank you again for this opportunity to represent a minority viewpoint.

And so, without appealing to a higher power which I do not believe exists, I ask that we put forth our best effort to listen intently, resolve our differences, reach common goals, and advance the progress and prosperity of our community.

Because with or without prayer, that's what needs to be done - and prayers don't pay the bills, maintain the roads, or do any of the work that this council and our city manager do so effectively on our behalf. As human beings, all we can do is use the talents and wisdom which nature, education, and experience have given us to overcome the challenges we face.

And when the task before you is difficult, I ask that you do not look upward for guidance from some higher power which is most likely an outgrowth of our own fear of mortality, but instead look inward to your own sense of morality and reason, and also look outward to the members of this community who come forward to lend their own assistance and support.

For only through a spirit of cooperation and unity can we continue to make the City of Portage such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise our families.

In closing, it’s important to remember that you don’t need a god to hope, to care, to love, or to live. And we certainly don’t need one to help conduct city business.

https://ffrf.org/outreach/item/16467-michigan-atheist-makes-a-difference