Local News 
Lord Mayor shows two faces
The Lord Mayor began the meeting by saying "I have no qualms in asking you all to show the mayor, and whoever, respect and more importantly, respect for each other. I realise we do not all follow the same religions but I ask we stand for prayers to show respect."
Cllr. Pettinger, a Lib Dem representing Pennsylvania, refused to stand for prayers during the civic meeting and said he had made his position clear since he was elected three years ago.
Unfortunately Hazel Slack and Councillor Yolonda Henson, the council's Conservative Party leader, said she would ask for a new rule, requiring anyone who does not want to stand at council meeting prayers to be ejected from the chambers. Very respectful indeed.
Cllr Pettinger, who was the youngest councillor in the city when he was elected in 2004 at 24 years old, intends to maintain his position: "I'm elected to do a job for my residents and the people of Exeter and faith has nothing to do with it," he said.
"I am a secularist and believe in the complete separation of personal faith and state. I'm an atheist and don't wish to take part in Christian worship. It's highly inappropriate to put pressure on people to act in this way when there are people of so many faiths in this country."
This is yet another example of why religion and government shouldn't be mixed, as those who are in power often demand people respect their beliefs whilst belittling the beliefs of those around them.
If the leaders of the city council believe people cannot show respect from a seated position then things are in a very dire state indeed.
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