Charlotte, NC-- The Charlotte- Mecklenburg Police department (CMPD) said it is removing "Jesus" from prayers during ceremonies.
Last week, the department notified employees and chaplains that they were moving towards nonsectarian prayer during police ceremonies.
For years chaplains have included Jesus' name in their invocations at official department ceremonies, but the department wants the prayers to be more inclusive.
The head of the volunteer chaplain program, Major John Diggs, told WBTV, that they are not demeaning Christianity in anyway, but want everyone to feel included, regardless of their faith.
He says the move towards nonsectarian prayer came about last month after a discussion between six volunteer chaplains.
Although CMPD believes the change is more inclusive to its 2,000 employees, some Chaplains are not in agreement.
"Not everyone agreed with our policy, but I believe all understand that the proceedings that we are asking for invocations to be delivered at are a government function," said Diggs.
The debate over the separation between church and state is playing out across the state.
The ACLU has threatened lawsuits against any county or city meetings that specifically reference Jesus during prayer
The ACLU says government functions are not religious services.
Related: CMPD To Remove Jesus From Prayer During Ceremonies
WBTV