TX Atheist Sues Over Nat'l Day of Prayer
Thursday October 30, 2008
More on the National Day of Prayer issue - you'll remember that earlier in October the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit against several politicans (including George W. Bush) over the NDP being a government-sanctioned event. Now, atheist Patrick Greene has filed a suit against the city of San Antonio, requesting that the mayor be prevented from "proclaiming the National Day of Prayer on the steps of City Hall."
Greene says that by participating, Mayor Phil Hardberger and City Council are in violation of the U.S. Constitution's establishment clause.
Greene also points out the non-inclusive nature of the event. "If they allowed people of different faiths, Mormons, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics and everybody else to be a part, that would be different. But they do not... It shows favoritism and preference, and the government shouldn't be in the business of doing that."
The next National Day of Prayer is scheduled for May 9, 2009. That gives all of you, gentle readers, plenty of time to plan some big ol' Pagan drum-bangin' bonfire-dancing celebration of your own.
Greene says that by participating, Mayor Phil Hardberger and City Council are in violation of the U.S. Constitution's establishment clause.
Greene also points out the non-inclusive nature of the event. "If they allowed people of different faiths, Mormons, Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses, Catholics and everybody else to be a part, that would be different. But they do not... It shows favoritism and preference, and the government shouldn't be in the business of doing that."
The next National Day of Prayer is scheduled for May 9, 2009. That gives all of you, gentle readers, plenty of time to plan some big ol' Pagan drum-bangin' bonfire-dancing celebration of your own.
Comments
Sounds like my kind of thing. Maybe a good old fashioned Luv-in would be appropriate too.
There is no “separation clause” in the U.S. Constitution.
There is an Establishment Clause and a Free Exercise Clause.
So, is this activity establishing a state religion or preventing the free exercise thereof?
Cj, you’re correct in that the Constitution has an Establishment Clause and a Free Excercise Clause.
The phrase “separation clause” is often used to apply to the concepts laid out in Article VI, Section III, which refers more to the idea that no religious test shall be administered to anyone who wishes to hold public office, so I did in fact misuse the term and will edit the blog accordingly
But to answer your question, the article says that the suit is being filed because for the city hall to promote a non-inclusive event is endorsing one religion over others – in other words, establishing a state religion.
patti
If they are going to “endorse prayer” which all religions have a form of… then they should allow forms of prayer, including Native American, Islamic, Jewish, Christian, Pagan, Tibetan, whoever else wants to join. That is a true day of prayer.
I’ll be at a convention that weekend, but I’ll have to get some people together and have a chant and drum. Yay!
Ok you know I remember say the pledge of algence (sp?) when I was in school and they took that away (I think it’s been a long time since I was in school) I remember bowing my head over crackers and milk too but it was what the teachers told us to do. I don’t like Prayer day, don’t like prayer in schools either but what I would really like to protest is all the jesus lives and love god signs all over the countryside. I really get upset when someone says god bless you if I do something nice for someone.I feel like yelling at the top of my lungs your god had nothing to do with it. But I don’t, I hold my tonge and try not to cause waves in our intalerable socity (sp?) Such is life it will be better someday when everybody can be who they are and pray (?) to whoever they want to. At least that’s how I see the future. Blessings on everyone no matter who they call deity
If i lived in the usa i would love to join. I live in the uk and will not be able to make it
hope that pagans do attend and stand for equality. XXXX
Well, Maybe Christmas and New year should be banned too !
Such a big fuss over something so small. It doesn’t matter. No Pagan or any other person of any religion has to have a National Day of Prayer to go about their rituals. America is a melting pot. They have their holidays, we have ours. It’s as simple as that.
I do say in the Usa we have a thing I write this with all do just respect To be able to live with out fear of Government secure in ones self and Home and a way to defends it,The Right to Arm’s National defense starts with self defense and the frist line of defense is freedom of speech.
The founding fathers understood many views will be in the land, they would need some thing to base a free self governing people on.
To be able to live with fear of government secure in ones self and Home….Jesus’s words I did come to condem it but to be a “way” in it.. “Mercy” is but part of the Way of the Great Uncreated one for each living Word or Temple to live in peace…
writing.com User Name “Nauck”
Sorry Writers Mistake It should have been “Without”
The founding fathers understood many views will be in the land, they would need some thing to base a free self governing people on.
To be able to live “without” fear of government secure in ones self and Home….Jesus’s words I did come to condem it but to be a “way” in it.. “Mercy” is but part of the Way of the Great Uncreated one for each living Word or Temple to live in peace…
I say let he /or her pray….to me that is Good leader…God knows Obama is not what this nation needs…Abortion the only time you kill something is if your going to eat it…or defend life!
Down With Nationalism I am prayen he fails in yeshua’s Name
writing.com User Name “Nauck”