In Charles Town, West Virginia, there's been a surprising move by the town council. In the past, they've opened all their council meetings with the Lord's Prayer; now, following a complaint by a Jewish resident, they've decided to go with an all-inclusive moment of silence instead. The 7 - 1 vote came after council convened in an executive session with the city attorney.

One council member said her vote was based on legal advice from attorney Amy Brown. The prayer first became an issue when a Jewish resident wrote to Charles Town mayor Peggy Smith, saying he was "offended" by the use of the Lord's Prayer before a public meeting. The resident has said that he never intended to file a lawsuit against the city, and had been attending meeting because of his concerns about the demolition of a historic property by a local Baptist church.

Councilwoman Geraldine Willingham cast the dissenting vote, saying, “I think it’s a sad day for Charles Town where we cannot start our council meetings off with the Lord’s prayer all because of one negative person."