Federal judge declares National Day of Prayer unconstitutional - Polidicks

[url]http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/15/wisconsin.court.prayer/[/url] [release](CNN) -- A federal judge on Thursday struck down the federal statute that established the National Day of Prayer, ruling that it violates the constitutional ban on government-backed religion. "[I]ts sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function," a Wisconsin judge wrote in the ruling, referring to the 1952 law that created the National Day of Prayer. "In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience," wrote the judge, Barbara B. Crabb. The injunction against the National Day of Prayer will not take effect until the defendants in the case, President Obama and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, have exhausted their appeals, the decision said. The Obama administration said in a Twitter message on Thursday that Obama intends to recognize this year's National Day of Prayer, which is May 6. The White House press office referred a question about whether the administration would appeal the ruling to the Justice Department, where a press officer was unavailable for comment. Conservative religious groups called on the White House to appeal the decision. "The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for all Americans to pray voluntarily according to their own faith and does not promote any particular religion or form of religious observance," said Joel Oster, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund. Church-state separation groups, meanwhile, applauded the ruling. "This decision is a tremendous victory for religious liberty," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Congress has no business telling Americans when or how to pray." The Interfaith Alliance also welcomed the ruling. "Maintaining clear boundaries between religion and government only serves to strengthen both," said the group's president, the Rev. Welton Gaddy. One constitutional scholar doubted the case would survive an appeal to a federal circuit court. "Judges have never been absolutists in these establishment clause cases," said Douglas Laycock, a University of Michigan Law School professor specializing in religious liberties issues. "If they were they would to tell the president to stop issuing Thanksgiving proclamations and tell the Treasury Department to take 'In God We Trust' off our money." The lawsuit against the Obama administration was brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, a group based in Madison, Wisconsin. The statute that established the National Day of Prayer calls on the president to annually designate one day, other than a Sunday, "on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups and as individuals." The law was amended in 1988 to designate the first Thursday in May as the annual National Day of Prayer. The event has been celebrated more ostentatiously by Republican than Democratic White Houses, partly because it has become aligned with religious conservatives. Since 1991, the National Day of Prayer Task Force has been led by Shirley Dobson, wife of conservative evangelical broadcaster and activist James Dobson. Shirley Dobson criticized the Obama administration last year for forgoing the White House celebrations that marked the National Day of Prayer under President George W. Bush. But Obama did issue an official proclamation designating a National Day of Prayer. "Throughout our nation's history," Obama's proclamation read, "Americans have come together in moments of great challenge and uncertainty to humble themselves in prayer." [/release] Good. No more state-promoted religion.

It's good to see some common sense once and a while.

What will I do without my National Day of Prayer!!!

[QUOTE=sloppy_joes;21379984]It's good to see some common sense once and a while.[/QUOTE] But common sense doesn't make for funny news stories.

Amen. Wait, what?

Bravo.

How does this affect anyone anyway?

Well that's good.

[QUOTE=Douglas Laycock]If they were they would to tell the president to stop issuing Thanksgiving proclamations and [B]tell the Treasury Department to take 'In God We Trust' off our money.[/B][/QUOTE] Oh, can they do that next? I'd like that.

[quote]The Obama administration said in a Twitter message on Thursday that Obama intends to recognize this year's National Day of Prayer, which is May 6.[/quote] What a buffoon.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;21380384]What a buffoon.[/QUOTE] if he didn't every semi-radical conservative on the globe would be screaming HES A TURRORIST MOOSE LAMB

"The Obama Administration" =/= Obama himself Still though yeah no b.s. Religon promotion

[QUOTE=Zeke129;21380384]What a buffoon.[/QUOTE] Shut up. Not everyone in the world is an atheist you know. If people want to believe what they want, let them. Don't try and force them to not believe.

[QUOTE=Visage;21380446]if he didn't the every semi-radical conservative on the globe would be screaming HES A TURRORIST MOOSE LAMB[/QUOTE] they already do anyway

[QUOTE=TheMourge;21380449]Shut up. Not everyone in the world is an atheist you know. If people want to believe what they want, let them. Don't try and force them to not believe.[/QUOTE] ...I think you're missing something here.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;21380384]What a buffoon.[/QUOTE] OMG OBAMA IS VIOLATIN THE CONSTITUTION AGAIN Actually, nobody is going to complain about it this time. It's not going to be in the media, if anything, they will complain that he's destroying our 'values' because they are no longer going to officially recognize it.

[QUOTE=TheMourge;21380449]Shut up. Not everyone in the world is an atheist you know. If people want to believe what they want, let them. Don't try and force them to not believe.[/QUOTE] Pretty much this. There are intelligent theists, and dumb theists, there are intelligent atheists, and there sure are dumb atheists.

[QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;21380485]OMG OBAMA IS VIOLATIN THE CONSTITUTION AGAIN [/QUOTE] you're undermining your own argument

[QUOTE=TheMourge;21380449]Shut up. Not everyone in the world is an atheist you know. If people want to believe what they want, let them. Don't try and force them to not believe.[/QUOTE] No one said he can't believe what he wants. The fact of the matter is though that National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and the government has no right being involved with prayer.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;21380384]What a buffoon.[/QUOTE]What a politician.

[QUOTE=Dr. Punchgroin;21380448]"The Obama Administration" =/= Obama himself[/QUOTE] Did you even read it? [quote]The Obama administration said in a Twitter message on Thursday that [B]Obama intends to recognize this year's National Day of Prayer, which is May 6.[/B][/quote]

[QUOTE=TheMourge;21380449]Shut up. Not everyone in the world is an atheist you know. If people want to believe what they want, let them. Don't try and force them to not believe.[/QUOTE] Nothing more tolerant of all beliefs than a state-sponsored prayer day yesirEE [editline]12:57AM[/editline] [QUOTE=Mr. Someguy;21380485]OMG OBAMA IS VIOLATIN THE CONSTITUTION AGAIN [/QUOTE] That's exactly what he's doing, actually.

His personal beliefs are separate from government. He said he personally backs up the national day of prayer.

[QUOTE=Zeke129;21380526]Nothing more tolerant of all beliefs than a state-sponsored prayer day yesirEE [editline]12:57AM[/editline] That's exactly what he's doing, actually.[/QUOTE] Because they are shoving your head down and making you pray, right? If Christmas weren't a commercialized mess people would complain about it too.

[QUOTE=Wakka;21380608]His [B]personal[/B] beliefs are separate from government. He said he[B] personally [/B]backs up the national day of prayer.[/QUOTE] Personally, not Politically! Get it right people!

[QUOTE=Tigster;21380639]Because they are shoving your head down and making you pray, right?[/QUOTE] It's unconstitutional. Have you ever heard of separation of church and state?

[QUOTE=JDK721;21380672]It's unconstitutional. Have you ever heard of separation of church and state?[/QUOTE] Your point being? We hold moments of silence, pretty much the same idea, just without the word pray. should we take those too?

Why the hell are they doing this? Even if some people might find a day of prayer offendable there are still way more that are offended that they are taking this out. Its part of our history as much as Christmas or Easter... well actually I didnt know we had one until last night but damnit just leave things the way they are. who cares about other peoples feelings GO GOD GO GOD GO GOD I told you, I fucking told you I would.

[QUOTE=Tigster;21380705]Your point being? We hold moments of silence, pretty much the same idea, just without the word pray. should we take those too?[/QUOTE] Moments of silence are secular, huge difference.

[QUOTE=Mr_Sun;21380736]Why the hell are they doing this? Even if some people might find a day of prayer offendable there are still way more that are offended that they are taking this out. Its part of our history as much as Christmas or Easter...[/quote]Indian murder and slave rape is also a part of our history. Also [quote]Even if some people might find a day of prayer offendable there are still way more that are offended that they are taking this out.[/quote] ^^^^^^^^^ [quote]who cares about other peoples feelings[/quote] We'll just ignore your opinion then.