The federal Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, in a 21-page ruling, upheld a decision by Chattanooga Federal Judge Sandy Mattice to deny an injunction blocking the Hamilton County Commission from continuing with prayers at the opening of its meetings.
However, the appeals court said the case should continue for a full hearing of the facts.
The judges said they agree with Judge Mattice that the evidence that included only two commission prayers was not enough proof to gain an injunction.
The ruling said the standard is whether a public prayer promotes one belief or denigrates other beliefs.
Click here to read the ruling.