A federal judge has ruled that the Indian River School Board in Wilmington, Del. can continue to open its meetings with a prayer or moment of silence.

U.S. District Judge Joseph J. Farnan, Jr. declared that it is constitutional for the board to open meetings with prayer and threw out a lawsuit over the issue.

"Although reasonable people can differ as to whether the board's policy is wise, could be more inclusive, or is actually necessary to solemnize board meetings, 'too much judicial fine-tuning of legislative prayer policies risks unwarranted interference in (a legislative body),'" the ruling read.

NC Board to Appeal Prayer Ruling

Meanwhile, county commissioners in Winston-Salem, N.C. have voted to appeal a judge's ban on Christian prayer before their meetings.

About 800 people attended Monday's board meeting where 10 of the 12 people who spoke urged the members to appeal the ban.

The board voted after groups supporting prayer promised to pay for the legal action.