‘There’s a middle ground:’ Franklin not against public prayer, leaders say

Jeff Daniels, the Franklin worship leader at the literal center of a public prayer debate, criticized city leaders Monday. Daniels felt he was being denied prayer – unless he first got permission.

Franklin officials rebutted that argument. They also said Daniel’s freedoms were never challenged.

“You were never going to get arrested,” said Alderman Patrick Baggett, looking at a near-capacity crowd in the boardroom. “I am sorry you felt that way. I am sorry that people in this room may have felt this city was doing that to you.”

Daniels has worshipped Saturday nights on the square in downtown Franklin, at times using equipment to amplify music. Multiple people have joined in with the worship.

Last month city staff and elected officials discussed complaints about the worship group's noise — and other noise issues downtown — as well as the rumors Daniels could face charges.

Baggett, like other board members, talked about his faith and support for prayer. But he emphasized that the sound amplification is an problem.

“Think about the things that aren’t spirit-filled that can be amplified,” Baggett said. “I think there’s a middle ground here.”

Alderman Gabrielle Hanson, who first pushed for the board to look closely at the issue, said overall noise in downtown Franklin should be addressed.

More:‘Gravely concerning’: Worship in Franklin public square prompts law change talks

What did the worship leader say?

Daniels was the first speaker at the board of aldermen work session Monday night.

"I can't believe I am standing before you to ask you if it's all right for me to pray and worship in the square,” Daniels said. "It shocks me. It absolutely shocks me."

Daniels asked that the aldermen “put your faith hat on” and “take your politic hat off.”

He read a testimony from a woman who said her experience with the worship on the square had been "life-changing."

"I am just a vessel. This is about God doing the work,” said Daniels, adding, "I will not stop until God tells me to stop."

City Administrator Eric Stuckey and Franklin Mayor Ken Moore met with Daniels in recent weeks to discuss the issue.

Amplification, curfew are top discussion points

Downtown noise and how it amplifies off buildings is the bigger overall topic the city should address, Hanson said. She also agreed that if sound emanating from the square can be heard on nearby sidewalks and roads downtown, “that’s probably too loud."

Hanson and other aldermen said residents have complained in the past about noise coming from businesses, too.

Stuckey said about a decade ago the city changed its ordinance to focus on distance rather than noise decibels. The ordinance currently states no amplified sound is allowed within 100 feet of a residence.

What’s next?

Under current city law, Stuckey summarized that the Daniels-led worship group, and others, can continue to gather on weekend nights without a permit so long as the group doesn't exceed 20 people and no sound amplification is used.

City staff will now study the recommendations of the aldermen and return with another proposal. He also said they would look at the city's noise ordinance.

The next board of aldermen work session and regular monthly board meeting are Feb. 14.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Franklin, TN, not against public prayer, leaders say