Ontario municipal councils risk being taken to court if they continue to start their meetings with the Lord's Prayer, says an Ottawa-based group of atheists and agnostics.

Using the traditional Christian prayer in council is illegal and sends the wrong message, says Sheila Ayala, a member of Secular Ontario.

'I think what they're saying at council meetings when they say the Lord's Prayer is that this council is only for Christians — it's not for anyone else. And that's wrong.'— Sheila Ayala, Secular Ontario

"I think what they're saying at council meetings when they say the Lord's Prayer is that this council is only for Christians — it's not for anyone else. And that's wrong."

The group said there are 18 Ontario municipalities that still say the Lord's Prayer as part of council proceedings, flouting a 1999 Ontario ruling that found the practice violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Secular Ontario is sending the councils warnings and says it will take them to court if they don't choose a more inclusive method of seeking divine counsel, such as observing a moment of silence.

The council in the town of Napanee, about 43 kilometres west of Kingston, Ont., is among those who refuse to comply.

At the start of each meeting, each of the seven men on council bow their heads, clasp their hands, and recite in unison a familiar verse that begins "Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name" and ends with the word "amen."

Napanee Coun. Peter Veltheer wasn't shy when asked his opinion about Secular Ontario's campaign.

Members of Napanee council bow their heads and recite the Lord's Prayer at the start of a meeting in January, as Coun. Peter Veltheer, centre, says they have done for "probably 100 years."
(CBC)

"Well, first of all, I think it's a bunch of crap," he said. "We've been carrying on with Lord's Prayer here for probably 100 years and there's been no problem with it."

Councillors say they have received many calls of support from constituents.

Secular Ontario has complained to the Ontario government about the actions of town councils such as Napanee's, but Minister of Municipal Affairs John Gerretsen said the province will not speak out against their use of a prayer that is also used in the Ontario legislature.

"It's been part of our standard procedure here for over 210 years," he said.