This is such a good example of why atheists and non-theists, as well as many theists (visit the Americans United for the Separation of Church and State and see why they agree ) believe that rather than a unifying event, a National Day of Prayer does nothing but exclude those who don’t pray, relegating them to ‘outsider’, second-class citizen status.
A National Day of Awareness, for example, while certainly available to any who want to pray, would be inclusive of those who do not.
And that brings us squarely once again to the Separation of Church and State because it is a classic example of a violation of the Establishment clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
To wit: (emphasis mine)
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
There is some precedent for a nationalized prayer day – unfortunately, beginning with the Continental Congress; then, President John Adams in 1798, and even our hero President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day ‘of humiliation, fasting and prayer’ in 1863.
However, what we don’t often hear is that Ben Franklin recorded that during the Constitutional Convention, only 3 or 4 persons felt that including prayer was a necessary objective. The large majority were against it; one can assume because they recognized it as a violation of the very thing we fought so hard to achieve in our Revolutionary War.
We’ve had a fight about the day ever since. Which isn’t exactly much of a spirit of humiliation, fasting and good will, now, is it?
Finally, most recently:
On April 15, 2010, United States District Judge Barbara Crabb correctly ruled that the statute establishing the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional as it is "an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function". However, Crabb stayed her ruling pending the completion of appeals. In her ruling Judge Crabb stated the following:
In my view of the case law, government involvement in prayer may be consistent with the establishment clause when the government's conduct serves a significant secular purpose and is not a "call for religious action on the part of citizens." McCreary County, Kentucky v. American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky, 545 U.S. 844, 877 (2005). Unfortunately, (section) 119 cannot meet that test. 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. In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience. "When the government associates one set of religious beliefs with the state and identifies nonadherents as outsiders, it encroaches upon the individual's decision about whether and how to worship." McCreary County, 545 U.S. at 883 (O'Connor, J., concurring). Accordingly, I conclude that (section) 119 violates the establishment clause.
It bears emphasizing that a conclusion that the establishment clause prohibits the government from endorsing a religious exercise is not a judgment on the value of prayer or the millions of Americans who believe in its power. No one can doubt the important role that prayer plays in the spiritual life of a believer. In the best of times, people may pray as a way of expressing joy and thanks; during times of grief, many find that prayer provides comfort. Others may pray to give praise, seek forgiveness, ask for guidance or find the truth. "And perhaps it is not too much to say that since the beginning of th[e] history [of humans] many people have devoutly believed that 'More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.'" Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421, 433 (1962). However, recognizing the importance of prayer to many people does not mean that the government may enact a statute in support of it, any more than the government may encourage citizens to fast during the month of Ramadan, attend a synagogue, purify themselves in a sweat lodge or practice rune 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.[17]
We’ve seen a lot of reaction to this – on both sides. Those who support our Constition applaud this decision. Those who believe that we must institute Christianity as our state religion see it as a blow to their cause – which it is, thankfully.
Locally, preparations and events for this Thursday’s Government-sponsored Prayer event go on, with churches throughout the region advertising special services on that day. Local newspapers have articles covering these prayer events… and sometimes, articles denigrating those who oppose them.
Local talk radio is worse – a few brave folks call in to try and rationally explain why they oppose the event – but are drowned out by the commentators and the other incoming calls which do nothing but abuse the rationalists.
ANYTIME that a ‘national’ event causes our citizens to divide themselves into groups categorized by beliefs, race, etc, one really cannot call it a UNITY event.
My suggestion is that on May 6, we celebrate a National Day of Awareness – rather than praying, reach out to someone who is different than you – and find some solidarity and common ground between you. THAT would be a tribute to this great country. I hope you'll join me.
Image bush prayer http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/CRIME/04/15/wisconsin.court.prayer/story.bushprayer.gi.jpg
Obama praying http://unfinishedchristian.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/obama_praying.jpg
Unity image – Freethought Society http://www.ftsociety.org
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Comments
Great Article.
It doesn't just exclude atheists/agnostics and the like but the way it's promoted both by church groups and many politicians as well frames both the day and our nation in specificaly Christian terms. It is designed to exclude and make non-Christians feel like outsiders and less than full citizens.
Agree, great article!
Carol, Any significance to your choice of advocating a National Day of Awareness, in place of a National Day of Reason, as is promoted by some other organizations?
The lie of "Separation of Church and State" continues I see. Sad how some will twist the truth to excuse their hate. Atheists and agnostics, as well as anyone who wants to pray are welcome to pray on this day. If you do not want to, just like some Christians do not want to, then you do not HAVE TO. But the hate I see people spewing on stories just like this is sickening. And Jason, it is not a day to make non-Christians feel like outsiders, it is a day to pray for our COUNTRY. YOU make the choice to "feel like an outsider". And if people actually feel like they are "less than full citizens", this is their guilt as well. You impose this victim status on yourself.
The constitution does not include ANY form of "Separation of Church and State", but exactly the opposite. It DOES promise us that we may worship as we choose. It protects that right. And articles like this are hate speech.
No real significance, Glen, other than something general which is not associated with any other type of group - consequently isn't found 'irritating' by others, so that they'll get the CONCEPT without arching their backs at some 'atheist' suggestion. I personally support the national day of reason.
Believers seem to take the concept of advocating 'reason' as some sort of affront. One wonders what they'd think of suggesting a national day of irrationality? <G>
Ken, do you need a specified day to pray for our country? Are you not free to pray any time you wish? Why do you need government sanction to pray? Do you think you might forget if Big Brother doesn't remind you?
Ken & others who think we need a national day of prayer as declared by the government--why does anyone need a special day to pray, a moment of silence, etc? Nobody's stopping you from practicing your religion. Just don't push it on me or waste my time, my tax dollars, etc. I'm not totally against a "day of awareness," though it seems kind of silly & unnecessary to me--we should be "aware" every day. But to legislate a Day of Prayer is ludicrous. Carol--I like the idea of a day of "reason."
Read this phrase again, Ken, in case it hasn't sunk in yet: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." Hello?!?!?
JayAre- I agree that we don't *need any sort of dedicated day, but since people seem to want one, then let's have a day of Reason, or Awareness, or Community, or Tolerance -- something which is inclusive of all Americans, not just dedicated to some of them.
Apologies again for the duplicate postings. I have no idea why this happens.
I've never understood the issue of prayer in schools and/or the national day of prayer. Prayer, meditation, contemplation, raging at the universe, can occur ANY time, ANY where. Why don't Christians "get" that? The importance of Prayer being an Inner World/private thing is stated in the Bible. IF we are going to HAVE such event/s, I would think it important to be inclusive of all belief systems, rather than any emphasis being placed on Christian prayer. I support any Christian in their "right" to pray at any time and any place... in part because I have experienced first hand the power and potency of what I refer to as "ongoing dialog with the Universe." Not the Maile god on a Throne in the Sky barking out Orders and Threatening Hell Fire.... but that intelligent "something" that most definitely can be conversed with with amazing result (maybe a higher level of self or higher level of consciousness). Bottom line is we are free. Free to pray any time any place OR free to NOT be expected
Quoting Ken:
"It (the Constitution) DOES promise us that we may worship as we choose. It protects that right. "
Ken, you're right--except you are leaving out a BIG point: the Constitution protects our rights to worship as we choose, AND it protects us from having the Government tell us how to worship. Which is exactly what a national day of prayer is doing--telling us how to worship. You or I can pray anytime we want. But it is unconstitutional for the government to tell us where, when, or how to pray/worship AT ANY TIME.
Ken, if the first amendment does not guarantee separation of church and state what does it stand for? What exactly does it mean to pass a law "respecting an establishment of religion" then? Wouldn't a law that recognizes prayer be respecting an establishment of religion? Any reasonable person would conclude that it was. Your interpretation is not only wrong, but it is inconsistent with what those who actually wrote the document said that it meant. Just because the words are not in there doesn't mean that separation of church and state was not the intent. In fact, that was exactly the intent according to Madison. Do you know better than he? The point is not whether anyone is free to pray or not on this day. The point is that by passing a law such as this and spending tax dollars on it the government is making a law respecting an establishment of religion, in violation of my rights. If anyone wants to establish a national day of prayer it should be done through religious organizations.
The clip above, apparently from the US Constitution is an example of what happens when laws are made that cannot be changed or changed easily. There are legitimate grounds to ban muslim immigration by Western countries, but such formal acts, laws and policies prevent it from being implemented. Legislators shoot themselves in the foot. That's why Australians recently rejected a Human Rights Bill ... we have all the rights we need without creating a document that would eventually be a burden preventing sensible actions at a later date.
Well-thought out and well-written article, Carol. I'm jealous.
:P
Apparently, this "Ken" character has never heard of implied rights.
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