U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb reached the conclusion in a lawsuit the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group of atheists and agnostics, brought against former President George W. Bush's administration near the end of his second term. The foundation argued the day violates the separation of church and state.
Congress established the day in 1952 and in 1988 set the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray.
Here's a link (see below) with more details of this story. I don't agree with her reasoning but admit it does depend on how one translates or understands the first amendment's opening line:
Quote:
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
I guess it would depend upon whether you believe Congress enacting a specific day of prayer constituted "an establishment of religion" or not.
Just another nail in the coffin. For all those out there who claim there is no proof of a God. He expressly said not to forget Him and He didn't say it for Himself. When things progress from bad to worse and not because of some brimstone falling from the sky, know this, your living in the proof.
Forget Him and you wont like His replacement and there will be one. His replacement is always waiting to take over and his name is man.
My opinion doesn't matter very much really, but I think the "establishment of religion" clause was meant to preclude Congress from recognizing a state church such as existed in England and other European countries. There are references to a Creator and Nature's God, etc., in documents of the time. I think if the founders had wanted to rule out reference to religion, they would have used the words "Congress shall make no law respecting religion."
Given the vague references to the "Creator" and "Nature's God," etc., I don't think the National Day of Prayer offends the founders' intent to avoid national recognition of a particular religious faith.
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Proud parents of our own "Daddy's Little Girls"
I heard Jesus He drank wine and I bet we'd get along just fine.
As to the founders, almost half the signers of the Declaration had some form of seminary training or degree. John Adams, said that there is one indissoluble bond, the principles of civil government with the principles of Christianity. I do not believe they would be offended if but one day was devoted to a single prayer, esspecially in these times considering.
I get a little tired of hearing agnostics and atheists whining about religion in America. The constitution makes no provision for any specific God. It makes no mention of Jesus. It does refer to deity. Why do people care about the views of others in regard to God, worship, and prayer? I respect people's rights who are not interested in prayer or religion. Why doesn't it seem to cut both ways? I wonder how any judge in America can decide against any religious issue when our whole system of laws is based upopn a Judeo-Christion ethic. I have attached a couple of pictures to this post. Those characters above the supreme court steps represent lawgivers. Various religious views are represented there by those depictions. Yet, we shouldn't recognize a national day of prayer? I guess hypocrisy is where you find it. A judge who feels that way in America should just step down.
It will really surprise me if this ruling stands up to the appeals. It is clear that the founding fathers were addressing the promotion of one religion over another, not the total freedom from religion.
The suit kind of reminds me of the folks trying to remove the “In God we trust” from the currency, it didn’t work then and it won’t work now.
Thanks
Mr-Pirk
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A proud owner of a Flying Vee. Bestowed by the fine Gentleman VC1111 himself.
My opinion doesn't matter very much really, but I think the "establishment of religion" clause was meant to preclude Congress from recognizing a state church such as existed in England and other European countries. There are references to a Creator and Nature's God, etc., in documents of the time. I think if the founders had wanted to rule out reference to religion, they would have used the words "Congress shall make no law respecting religion."
Given the vague references to the "Creator" and "Nature's God," etc., I don't think the National Day of Prayer offends the founders' intent to avoid national recognition of a particular religious faith.
Excellent analysis and spot on.
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Jesus Christ--The reason for the season!
If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.
If you're certain you know everything, there's little opportunity to learn anything.
i agree, aint like its the catholic holiday or jewish holiday...but a prayer day. maybe cause praying usually refers to a religion er sumthin...they give xmas break..but not a kwanza break right. (now here its holiday break insted of xmas break). still we get good friday off school i believe anyways. all the same to me. i dont see how a prayer day is unconstitutional, and most of yall know about where i stand on this whole religion thing.
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National Day of Prayer Struck Down
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