TEHACHAPI, Calif. -- For the past six months, Tehachapi City Council meetings have began with an invocation prayer, but at Tuesday's council meeting, the first since receiving the letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation, there was no prayer, instead the Pledge of Alligence.

The change was brought on by a letter from the Freedom From Religion Foundation based in Wisconsin on behalf of a concerned resident.

The six-page letter says the council's actions violate not only the First Amendment of the Constitution, but also California state law.

The letter reads, “The prayers currently given during the Council meeting impermissibly advance christianity and lead a reasonable observer to believe that the Council is endorsing not only religion over nonreligion, but also christianity over other faiths.”

But some council members said that’s just not true.

City councilmember Shane Reed said, “We have invited every organization in the city to participate, any group, any religion. The city does not tell them what they can or can’t say, and with that, I think we’re well within our rights.”

The foundation's letter cites numerous Supreme Court cases that say invocations are OK, as long as all references to "Christ" are removed.

One residents said this is ridiculous.

Daniela Peregerina said, "I think it’s ridiculous, and they need to pull out the dollar bill in their pocket and look at the back of it and what it says on the back which is 'In God We Trust.' God has been the foundation of this country.”

But other residents agree with the foundation's request, saying an invocation is OK as along as no particular God is mentioned.

And while the foundation simply sent a letter requesting invocations to stop, or at the very least change, the city fears a lawsuit could follow.

Councilmember Ed Grimes said, "First and foremost, we need to protect the city from litigation, that’s going to be my focus, but at the same time, I hope that the issue of prayer can be put to rest and continue on with our business.”

The foundation’s letter has also brought out the support of Ken Mettler and the California Republican Assembly in the defense of the council’s right to pray.

Mettler said, "So what these organizations rely on is intimidation, they like to bully some of the smaller cities, but they’ve picked on the wrong small city. This small city is in Kern County, and we know the difference here and we like our heritage, and they’re messing with the wrong folks here.”

Mettler also said he and the CRA will work with the city of Tehachapi in any way possible to ensure they are able to continue an invocation at the start of City Council meetings.

If you would like to read the foundation's letter in its entirety, you can visit: Tehachapi Letter

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Sept. 8, 2009: Letter Causes Tehachapi Council Prayer Controversy