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  1. #1
    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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    Federal Judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional

    Judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional

    MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional Thursday, saying the day amounts to a call for religious action.

    U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb wrote that the government can no more enact laws supporting a day of prayer than it can encourage citizens to fast during Ramadan, attend a synagogue or practice magic.

    "In fact, it is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence an individual's decision whether and when to pray," Crabb wrote.

    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. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group of atheists and agnostics, filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2008 arguing the day violated the separation of church and state.

    President Barack Obama's administration has countered that the statute simply acknowledges the role of religion in the United States. Obama issued a proclamation last year but did not hold public events with religious leaders as former President George W. Bush had done.

    Crabb wrote that her ruling shouldn't be considered a bar to any prayer days until all appeals are exhausted. U.S. Justice Department attorneys who represented the federal government in the case were reviewing the ruling Thursday afternoon, agency spokesman Charles Miller said. He declined further comment.

    Obama spokesman Matt Lehrich said in an e-mail to The Associated Press the president still plans to issue a proclamation for the next prayer day.

    "As he did last year, President Obama intends to recognize a National Day of Prayer," Lehrich said.

    The American Center for Law and Justice, which represented 31 members of Congress who joined the federal government as defendants, called Crabb's ruling flawed and promised to appeal.

    "It is unfortunate that this court failed to understand that a day set aside for prayer for the country represents a time-honored tradition that embraces the First Amendment, not violates it," ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow said in a statement.

    The Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based group of Christian lawyers, issued a statement saying Crabb's ruling undermines American tradition dating back to the nation's birth.

    Freedom From Religion Foundation attorney Richard Bolton didn't immediately return a message seeking comment.

    Crabb wrote that her ruling was not a judgment on the value of prayer. She noted government involvement in prayer may be constitutional if the conduct serves a "significant secular purpose" and doesn't amount to a call for religious action. But the National Day of Prayer crosses that line, she wrote.

    "It goes beyond mere 'acknowledgment' of religion because its sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function in this context," she wrote. "In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience."

    http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2 ... -day_N.htm
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  2. #2
    Super Moderator GeorgiaPeach's Avatar
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    There is no "separation of church and state" in the Constitution. Prayer is not establishing a nationwide religion. It is part of our history since inception, from Presidents, and in Congress.

    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. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group of atheists and agnostics, filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2008 arguing the day violated the separation of church and state.
    Usual suspects. The judge obviously thinks that all of the people going along with prayer in the government, have been doing something wrong. George Washington on down.

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    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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    Barbara Brandriff Crabb is a federal district court judge in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. She joined the court in 1979 after being nominated by President Jimmy Carter. She served the court as chief judge from 1980-1996. On December 31, 2009, Crabb assumed senior status.

    judgepedia.org/index.php/Barbara_Crabb
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    sdbrit68's Avatar
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    .

    " President Barack Obama's administration has countered that the statute simply acknowledges the role of religion in the United States. Obama issued a proclamation last year but did not hold public events with religious leaders as former President George W. Bush had done"


    correct me if I am wrong, but after refusing to hold the christian day of prayer, didn't he host the Muslim dinner ?

    I am almost positive of this

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