National debate over church and state in New Jersey borough

CLAYTON, NJ (WTXF)- A "great place to live and play, work and pray."

Those are the words written on a Gloucester County borough's seal. Some say the motto needs to go saying it violates separation of church and state.

Clayton, New Jersey is that small borough in Gloucester County. It's a quiet place seemingly not used to controversy that now finds itself in a national debate over the separation of Church and State.

The seal is all over municipal hall and their website, and you can see it as you drive into town.

Now, a national atheist group says the picture of a cross and the word 'pray' violates the constitution.

FOX 29's Bill Anderson spoke to residents there, and there appeared to be a pretty united sentiment about the seal that's been there since the 1960's; if you don't like it, maybe Clayton isn't for you.

At a recent council meeting, Clayton decided that they would not remove the seal.

Now, perhaps due to legal ramifications, the mayor, council president and administrator all refused to comment and the solicitor simply sent us a statement saying:

"I am respectfully declining your request for an interview on this matter. Given the potential for litigation over this issue, no public comment over the "Borough Seal" will be made by me."