What is the National Day of Prayer?
The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman.
Yesterday, the Freedom from Religion Foundation filed a federal lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer.
MADISON, Wis. -- The nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics is suing President Bush, the governor of Wisconsin and other officials over the federal law designating a National Day of Prayer.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation sued Friday in U.S. district court, arguing that the president's mandated proclamations calling on Americans to pray violates a constitutional ban on government officials endorsing religion.
The day of prayer, held each year on the first Thursday of May, creates a "hostile environment for nonbelievers, who are made to feel as if they are political outsiders," the lawsuit said.
The national proclamation issued this year asked God's blessings on our country and called for Americans to observe the day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.
Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is named in the suit because he is one of 50 governors who issued proclamations calling for the prayer day. The foundation is based in Madison.
Shirley Dobson, chairwoman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force, and White House press secretary Dana Perino also are named.
Read the FFRF's news release.
Read the complaint.
I wonder how many Americans know that the first Thursday in May is designated as a National Day of Prayer.
Take a poll and ask Americans to name when the National Day of Prayer is observed, or ask them the significance of the first Thursday in May.
I suspect the percent of people aware of the observation would be roughly around the percent of the current approval rating of Congress.
To suggest that the National Day of Prayer creates a "hostile environment for nonbelievers, who are made to feel as if they are political outsiders" is nuts.
No one in this country is forced by the government to pray, not on the National Day of Prayer, not EVER.
So often, it's nonbelievers who are creating a hostile environment. Why are they so intolerant?
2 comments:
Good. I hope their campaign succeeds. National Prayer Day is a Cold War relic that needs to be put to sleep as does the "Under God" addition to the Pledge.
Freedom to worship is not a Cold War relic.
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