Since one prayer does not fit all, consider moment of silence instead

In the Dec. 30 Wooster Daily Record article, “Orrville board’s prayer practice gets scrutiny,” Board President Greg Roadruck states, in part, “The intent of a prayer … (is to) make sure we’re thinking not just (about) ourselves but the entire community.”

While this is an honorable and no doubt well-intentioned sentiment, Roadruck falls into the sadly common error of assuming prayers of a specific type, tied to a specific religion, are “… for the entire community.” No, they are not.

If the fair city of Orrville contains any Jainists, Sikhs, Jews, Muslims, or others who do not pray as he does, then the prayer is clearly exclusionary.

Perhaps Roadruck would consider a moment of silence as a way to include any and all beliefs, including those who do not believe in any deity but care deeply about the work of the school board.

Edward M. Krauss, Grandview Heights