After voting to eliminate the invocation at Phoenix city council meetings, Mayor Greg Stanton says moving to a moment of silence is the best decision for the city.
The debate started after a Satanic group signed up to give the invocation in two weeks. Some council members wanted to prevent the group from participating. Stanton says he didn't have a problem with the group.
"My faith is strong ... strong enough that it can withstand a two minute invocation by a group that doesn't share my faith or belief system," said Stanton.
But the Phoenix mayor didn't want to break an oath he swore to protect. He wanted to make sure the group's constitutional rights weren't going to be violated.
"If we were to decide not to allow this group to do the invocation, we would be sued and we would lose on constitutional grounds," said Stanton.
Even though the prayers will be silent, the Mayor says he will continue to hang on to his faith to guide him through the politics.
"I'll have a moment to gather my thoughts to pray to my lord in private - so I can have a positive meeting as possible," said Stanton.
