Will government councils in the Bible Belt ever mention Jesus in a prayer again? Maybe not. Government councils (such as city councils and county councils) across the southeast face giving up sectarian prayers some have used for years.

That's because of an appeals court decision last week. The court told the Chester County town of Great Falls it can't pray in Jesus' name. The court said such prayers amount to an unconstitutional government endorsement of religion. The ruling directly affects what goes on in South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The Great Falls Town Council is reviewing whether to fight the court decision.

University Of South Carolina law professor Andrew Siegel says the ruling means other councils should stop giving sectarian prayers or face expensive lawsuits they are likely to lose.