Warren Mayor Fouts considered a city hall prayer station for the 'Church of Bacon'

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts’ exclusionary approval of a prayer station in city hall, a decision that cost Warren taxpayers $100,000, was shot down by a federal judge because of Fouts’ refusal to also allow a “reason station” proposed by a local atheist.
But now we are learning that Fouts did give consideration to another group seeking a city hall station – the United Church of Bacon.

According to a deposition in the case given by Bonnie McInerney-Slater, a former Fouts aide, the city received and actually considered a prayer station request from the Church of Bacon, which is a spoof created by magicians/comedians Penn and Teller.
Under questioning from attorneys handling the case, McInerney-Slater said that the Church of Bacon request came in a 2014 phone call to her staff and she returned the call, leaving a voice message seeking more information.

At this point, she and the eccentric mayor were oblivious to the fact that they were being punked by the entertainment duo. In fact, they contemplated allowing a Church of Bacon station alongside the prayer station in the city hall atrium.
McInerney-Slater, who now serves as the New Baltimore city administrator,  said this in her testimony:“I don't know that we ever made a final decision …  I guess all I would say is that it's not something in our discussion that the mayor wanted in the atrium, but I don't -- I can't say that -- I don't recollect whether he ever said, no, we're not going to have one or, yes, we are going to have one.”

The mayor’s aide said she had considered that the request -- as one attorney participating in the deposition suggested -- may have come from someone “taking a jab at the city.” But McInerney-Slater added that she did a quick check and found that there was an actual Church of Bacon created in Las Vegas.
Vegas, of course, is where Penn and Teller perform and if McInerney-Slater had even glanced at the website of this “church,” she would have quickly realized that the magicians had established the site to ridicule religion.

The Church of Bacon’s motto is prominently displayed: “May the Bacon be with You always. Praise Bacon!”
Several podcast shows are promoted, including one called, “The Ardent Atheist.”

Here’s the duo’s motivation for creating the church: “Goals of Baconism: The United Church of Bacon founders have set forth a general mission. First and foremost, Praise Bacon! (Even if you don’t like bacon – gasp – all you have to do is enjoy the scent.) Second, openly fight religion discrimination against minorities and demand equal rights for everyone…”
 

In the wake of the mayor’s overwhelming court defeat, there’s no word yet on whether the United Church of Bacon plans to pursue its request for a station. But if their little kiosk features sizzling bacon on the griddle, it may become the most popular spot in city hall.