DELTONA, Fla. — A Washington D.C.-based group is demanding a Deltona City commissioner stop reciting from the Bible during commission meetings.
Commissioner Chris Alcantara said he’s been reading Scripture out loud during the commission comments section since January.
“I’m not trying to convert anyone. I’m not trying to force religion down people’s throats. I’m just sharing my words of wisdom,” he said.
But not everyone thinks it’s a wise move.
Deltona resident Doug McDonald contacted to Americans United for the Separation of Church and State to try and get Alcantara to stop.
“I don’t think that’s correct or fair,” McDonald said.
The group sent a letter to Alcantara claiming his reading of the Scripture is a violation of the First Amendment.
But the city’s attorney said unless Alcantara is criticizing a religion or forcing people to participate, he’s in the clear.
“According to our city attorney, I’m not doing anything wrong, so I’m not refraining,” he said.
The group said if it does not hear back by the end of the month, it will send the city a follow-up letter.
If that goes unanswered, the group said it will look at other options, including possible litigation.
Cox Media Group
