But, even if it is "god" with any type of "g", what about Buddhists, who don't really believe in a supreme being? Or other religions that are similar?
Back to my previous post, though. When I was in Catholic school, we went to mass regularly. I am not Catholic, though. So, while they were standing, kneeling, singing, reciting, etc., I just sat there and read whatever was available (bible, hymnal, missal, etc.). I didn't participate. Partly because I was lazy, partly because I didn't know what was going on, and partly because I was skeptical that all the incantations were good for anything (in other words, I didn't believe in their religion). But, by not participating, I was viewed as somewhat of an outsider in that class. Not by students, more by the teachers. When I asked questions (like, if Mary was "perfect" because she had to be without sin in order to have an Immaculate Conception, then was her mother also without sin? And, if so, then what about HER mother? And so on back to Eve. But, Eve committed sin, so the chain must have broken down somewhere - when did it break down and why?) I was chastised for questioning the faith. I was treated as an outsider assaulting their faith, not as a Christian seeking knowledge.
Same thing in a council meeting. If I refuse to participate in the prayer, or leave to not be part of it, I will be viewed as an outsider, and my opinion will be viewed differently.
While it's great to have a religious discussion, I'd like to talk about the real-world ramifications. What happens to "representative government" when my opinion is viewed as less important than my praying neighbor?