The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from making any laws with respect to the establishment of religion or that interfere with the free exercise of religion. It is generally agreed that the provisions of the First Amendment apply to all levels of government. The United States Supreme Court has recently ruled that Christian prayers that are said at the beginning of meetings of elected officials local governments do not violate the provisions of the First Amendment that prohibit government from establishing a religion.

Paul is an employee of a local government and is required to attend meetings of the elected officials of the local government, but Paul is an atheist and objects to the Christian prayers that are always said at the beginning of the meeting. Therefore, Paul has asked his supervisor if he can join the meetings of local elected officials after the prayers are offered, but Paul’s supervisor has told Paul that out of respect for the elected officials, Paul must attend the entire meetings. Has Paul been discriminated against on the basis of his religion? Why, or why not?

Your response should be a minimum of 200 words in length.