City leaders are split over whether or not to say the lines ‘Eternal God, source of all wisdom' and ‘Amen' aloud, as a way of respecting all faiths around the council table.

‘Non-Christians get the wrong end of the stick on these issues,' said Mr Carpenter. ‘They act as if we're trying to impose something for our own benefit.

‘The fact is that prayer in council, like limits on Easter trading, are good for most people in society.

‘If people pray for better government, and God answers that prayer, we all win. If God doesn't answer - what's the big deal?

‘When you look at social and family breakdown, you have to ask, why would we change things that will end up making it more difficult for people to get quality family time?

‘When half the country calls itself Christian, even if a person isn't religious, why would anyone feel compelled to drive Christian prayer and symbols out of every last area of public life? That's forcing half the country to live with no religious symbolism in public because a small number of people can't handle the tiny amount that still exists.'

There was a passionate response from both sides of the religious debate at the last council meeting. As a result, whether or not to keep the prayer will be decided by a formal vote at the next full council meeting on May 30.

Some are now concerned that councillors might then try to remove the city motto Sans Dieu rien (Without God, nothing) from its coat of arms.

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