City of Glendale (AZ) City Council Meeting
12 August 2014
Brooke Mulder (263 words - 1:34)

The purpose of the invocation read before each city council meeting is to “add solemnity” to the proceedings. I can’t think of anything more solemn or significant than the act of democracy itself.

As citizens of this great country we have the right to participate equally in the proposal, development, and creation of laws. We may choose to do this directly, by serving on a city council, as governor or even as President of the United States. Or, we may choose to participate indirectly by electing representatives to act in our interests.

Let us all take a moment to reflect on why we are here tonight. If you are here, you may have chosen a path of serving your electorate, to the benefit of their welfare. Or, you may have concerns you’ve chosen to bring in front of the council. We should be grateful that the City of Glendale has those who are willing to serve, and those who trust in the system enough to participate in the process. It is people like those that enable us to truly govern ourselves.

My principles as a secular humanist teach me to rely on reason and our common humanity. A city council is an excellent illustration of how people can come together, without supernaturalism, to provide meaningful changes in each other’s lives. 

I would like to leave you with a final thought from Thomas Jefferson: “Educate and inform the whole mass of the people.  Enable them to see that it is their interest to preserve peace and order and they will preserve them.”

Thank you.