National Day of Prayer Isn't Dead Yet
Justice Department Will Contest the Ruling; Tampa Events Still Take Place
On April 30, President Obama still signed the annual Proclamation for the National Day of Prayer, and events are still taking place all around the country, including here in Tampa Bay.
Just hours ago in downtown Tampa (11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. EST), the Lykes Gaslight Square at 410 Franklin St. was used as a public prayer gathering place.
More locations in the Tampa Bay area are offered this evening:
West Tampa/Oldsmar:
Oldsmar City Hall Steps, 6:30 p.m.
(Not organized by the city, just taking place there)
100 State Street West
Clearwater:
Bright House Field, 7:00 p.m.
601 Old Coachman Road
Sponsored by Somebody Cares Tampa Bay, followed by a Concert.
Valrico:
Valrico State Bank, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Hwy 60 & Valrico Road
The Freedom from Religion Foundation brought the lawsuit against the National Day of Prayer, hoping to stop the annual White House acknowledgment. ABC News reported that the Freedom from Religion Foundation's president, Annie Laurie Gaylor, claimed it is unconscionable for the President to tell all citizens to pray.
Judge Barbara Crabb ruled in their favor, declaring the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional because it encourages citizens to pray, and serves no general function.
Crabb's and Gaylor's own statements invalidate their point of unconstitutionality:
According to the First Amendment Center, members of Congress from both sides of the aisle are joining with national organizations to contest the ruling, in that the National Day of Prayer encourages people, it doesn't make it mandatory. To tell people they are allowed to do something is not a commandment. Nobody will go to jail for not participating.
Although this day is seen by the media and non-religious public as a forceful "Christian thing," the Official site of the National Day of Prayer Task Force sites a verse from the Old Testament, which is used by both Christians and Jewish people: "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him" Nahum 1:7.
Additionally, the Annual Proclamation does not mandate or demand that any certain God be prayed to. Although he has faced criticism for not personally sponsoring a National Day of Prayer event, President Obama wrote in the Proclamation:
"We are blessed to live in a Nation that counts freedom of conscience and free exercise of religion among its most fundamental principles, thereby ensuring that all people of goodwill may hold and practice their beliefs according to the dictates of their consciences."
Sources:
-National Day of prayer debate, Religion Link, 4/28/10.
-"Bible Bonanza Across U.S. as 'Day of Prayer' Sparks Court Clash," Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 5/6/10.
-"Government to appeal ruling against National Day of Prayer," USA Today, 4/23/10.
-President's Official Proclamation for the Annual Day of Prayer, whitehouse.gov, 4/30/10.
-"Congressmen condemn ruling against National Day of Prayer," First Amendment Center.org, 4/22/10.
Published by Sheryl Young - Featured Contributor in Politics
Freelance writer since 1997; Featured Political Contributor for Yahoo!; Tampa Tribune Community Columnist/Blogger; Chicken Soup for the Soul; Amy Foundation National Writing Award; happy wife, proud step-mom... View profile
- 2009 National Day of PrayerIn America, prayer is a right and privilege that has been enjoyed since the birth of our nation. And in 1952 President Truman made it even more significant by signing a joint resolution from Congress, declaring an ann...
- Is Declaring a National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional?Noweher in the first amendment to the constitution is there any prohibition to declaring a national Day of prayer. this ruling shows how out of touch our judges have become with what the constitution really says!
National Day of Prayer Ruled Unconstitutional by Wisconsin Federal JudgeIn a bold move, Judge rules that it is unconstitutional for the government to enforce a national day of prayer. This landmark decision should be heralded as a stand against the...- Wisconsin Judge Ruled Against National Day of PrayerNational Day of Prayer will be declared on the first Thursday of May.
Should America Celebrate a National Day of PrayerIf one day is the best that we can give unto the God of heaven and earth (and even in that we do it without a commitment to I AM), it isn't anything more than a National Day of...
- Four Ways to Celebrate the Fourth in Tampa Bay with Your Family
- NFL Team History: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- The Tampa Bay Devil Rays Become "The Rays"
- A Vacation Guide to Tampa Bay
- The Role of Religion in US Politics
- Max O'Well Visits Florida's Tampa Bay Aquarium
- President Declares May 6, 2010 National Day of Prayer
54 Comments
Post a Commentvery good ♥
Great job reporting this Sheryl.
I just wrote an article closely related to this subject. We have to start standing up to the few who insist that God should be taken out of our country. God is an integral part of our lives.
Neither is God dead. Those atheists just can't get rid of Him nor those pesky Christians. They need to adjust.
I don't know that the government has to acknowledge a national day of prayer, either, but they certainly are foolish not to. And they have no right to declare an optional day of prayer as unconstitutional. I have yet to see someone being forced to pray in this country.
Prayer is so important. I'm glad our President is supportive of it. Laura Everly
Amen!.....God is still present in America!........Very well articulated-prayer is not mandatory on the national day of prayer......
Good report.
I really appreciate this article! Praying is necessary for all of us...Great job!!
Awesome! I was just reading something this morning about how it's funny that prayer is seen by many as something pointless (and as you mentioned that Judge Crabb said it served no general function) yet to believers it's something that we rely on. Praise God for the blessing of prayer! :)