I've been expecting this for some time, and I expect a violent explosion from the dominionists in the area.  This practice has been going on for many years, and it's assumed that it's OK because people haven't complained before.

Well, as a previous article suggested, people were too afraid of the local pentecostals/dominionists/fundamentalists TO complain.  This county is not a good place to live unless you accept dominionism to one degree or another.   What I really found revealing was a poll taken by the Lakeland Ledger, where over 80% of the respondents (440 when I answered the question) said that the city should continue having prayers before meetings.

Non-P/D/Fs are a minority in this county- and we do not feel like we belong.  In fact, in some areas indicating you do NOT attend a church (preferably one of those persuasions), you will experience hostility and/or verbal assault (and attempts to scare you into "accepting Christ").

I applaud Atheists of Florida, and hope the best for them.  I may not agree with their thinking in some ways, but separating church and state is the best defense we have against dominionism.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20100312/NEWS/3125036/1410?Title =Atheist-Group-Challenges-Lakeland-Commission-Over-Prayer