A divided Supreme Court said on Monday that prayers that open town council meetings do not violate the Constitution - even if they routinely stress Christianity. The court said in a 5-4 decision that the content of the prayers is not significant as long as they do not denigrate non-Christians or proselytize. The ruling by the court's conservative majority was a victory for the town of Greece, N.Y., outside of Rochester. The Obama administration sided with the town. Scroll down for video Co-plaintiffs: Linda Stephens, left, and Susan Galloway, right, who are seen in this November 2013 photo, complained in 2008 that the town council meetings opened with Christian prayers
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Town council meetings in Greece, New York opened nearly every meeting over an 11-year span with prayers that stressed Christianity
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In 2008, after residents Susan Galloway and Linda Stephens complained, four of 12 meetings were opened by non-Christians
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Court said in 5-4 decision that prayers' content does not matter as long as they do not denigrate non-Christians or proselytize
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Justice Anthony Kennedy, writing for the majority, said the prayers are ceremonial and in keeping with the nation's traditions
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Kagan said the case differs significantly from the 1983 decision because '@placeholder's town meetings involve participation by ordinary citizens, and the invocations given — directly to those citizens — were predominantly sectarian in content.'