Those for and against removing the non-denominational prayer spoken at the beginning of council, and replacing it with a moment of silence were able to reach a compromise during Monday night's council meeting everyone could live with.

The councillors voted unanimously to keep the prayer and also to add a moment of silence afterwards for those who do not wish to partake.

The current prayer reads: 'God, grant us understanding and patience, that justice, truth and honesty may be evident in our decisions. Make us mindful of the needs of the people throughout the Town of Oakville. Help us govern with the wider community in mind and so create in us a desire for progress and responsible action. We ask this in your name. Amen.'

The issue arose in December when Ward 6 Councillor Tom Adams introduced a motion to change the prayer noting that a moment of silent reflection was more inclusive.

The motion was deferred pending public consultation. On Monday night, more than 80 people packed Council Chambers, some wearing 'Keep the Prayer' stickers, some not.

Elka Enola, who was one of five people to address council on the issue, said the speaking of a prayer in a public institution excludes Humanist people like herself.

"Retaining a verbal and official prayer as part of council proceedings gives a very clear message to Humanists like me that there is no point even contemplating running for office. I would not be welcome. I don't even know if there is a secular oath of office," she said. "Replacing oral prayer with silent prayer does not force anyone to accept or reject any religion. It does not force anyone to participate actively or passively in any religious activity."

Enola noted that as a child she had to deal with similar exclusion as a Jew growing up in a place where Christian teachings were forced on her.

"I attended my local public school in Montreal. The student body was more than 90 per cent Jewish, yet we were all required, by law, to spend the first 20 minutes of each day in Protestant religious instruction. In fact, the English public board was called The Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal," she said. "Requiring every student to participate in daily Catholic or Protestant religious activities is a tradition that, I am glad to say, has ceased."

Carolann Hughes was at the other end of the spectrum.

"The prayer is a non-denominational prayer in which there is mention of God, but not a specific religious ideal. It can be applicable in all theistic faiths," she said.

"While I respect the comments made by those who do not believe in God I also value my right to freedom of religion, my freedoms of belief and expression and, just as important, my right to a national identity and in that the continued Canadian practice of a traditional prayer."

Nigel Kettle also voiced support for keeping the prayer and cautioned council against what he feels are efforts made by Canadians to curtail their own freedoms.

"We happen to live in a very privileged country, we have tremendous freedoms and it just seems that no other country is in such a hurry to dispense with, apologize for and throw away all the traditions and values that created the freedoms and the standard of living that we enjoy," said Kettle. "For me keeping this prayer isn't so much a question of religion as it is a desire to keep the status quo. I do see this as going beyond the existing council."

After the delegations were heard, Ward 4 Councillor Roger Lapworth proposed the motion to replace the prayer with a moment of silence. However, Ward 6 Councillor Max Khan offered the compromise of incorporating both into the proceedings.

The compromise was an instant hit among all councillors. Lapworth even asked his colleagues to help him in voting down his own motion.

This was done without a single vote calling for the removal of the prayer.

"Many will say that our prayer is vague and meaningless, but to be honest I really like it. I think the authors did a brilliant job. The admonishment in this prayer really sums it up for us. We ask for understanding, patience and honesty in decisions. It reminds us that we serve the needs of the people throughout the Town and it further reiterates that we govern for the whole community," said Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll. "Nobody can deny that they want their political leaders to live, breath and act according to these principles."

The motion passed unanimously, however, the compromise did not please everyone with some feeling nothing was really resolved.

"They kept saying how all the faiths agreed with this prayer while Atheists, Skeptics, Humanists were all ignored. They missed the whole point," said Enola.

"The prayer is there first and I have to listen to it. I'm going to be preached to."