Yes, it's a clear example of the government showing preference among religions. If they want an invocation, let it be open to all serious applicants.
Court rulings have gone way too far to ensure that Americans are "free from religion" by forcing us to publicly acknowledge all religions, neutering the religious nature of traditional celebrations or by not allowing the public celebration of a particular religion at all.
Which one are you talking about, acknowledging that the government doesn't have the right to give special rights to certain religions, or that the government can't recognize any religion? Or do you think this is a Judeo-Christian-only country?
"Yes, it's a clear example of the government showing preference among religions. If they want an invocation, let it be open to all serious applicants."
How is this creating a state religion, like King George did or even like our own states have had? How is this preventing the witch from being a witch? How is it violative of the plain meaning of the Constitution as written?
Which one are you talking about, acknowledging that the government doesn't have the right to give special rights to certain religions, or that the government can't recognize any religion? Or do you think this is a Judeo-Christian-only country?
As this is predominantly a Christian country it flows that activist court rulings will have a significant impact on public displays/celebrations of Christianity. Examples are Christmas vacation being neutered to "Winter Holiday" or the prohibition of the singing of Christmas songs in school, displays of the cross, etc. Conversely, in a predominantly Wiccan community I would expect that an offer to participate in an invocation would be extended to a Wiccan and I do not believe that such a decision by the local govenerment would be violative of the 1A.