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'National Day of Prayer' proponents to defend day against 'radicals'

According to the "Save the National Day of Prayer" Web site, the National Day of Prayer "is currently under attack by radicals determined to silence any expression of faith."

Those "radicals" they are referring to specifically are those involved in the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF). As is typical, they misrepresent what FFRF is fighting for. FFRF does not work to "silence any expression of faith." The Web site creators are being dishonest. But, who cares if it's dishonest as long as the spin makes the case seem even more crucial?

I have no doubt that the Alliance Defense Fund (AFD), which seems to be responsible for the Web site, understands the truth. But the truth doesn't sell as well as the spin in this case, does it? They say that "like the ACLU [American Civil Liberties Union], the Freedom From Religion Foundation has been relentless in their drive to silence public expression of faith." If they stopped for one moment to be honest, they would say that these organizations fight to stop government expression, not public expression. There is a difference. A huge difference.

According to a report on The Christian Post Web site, the ADF has launched this campaign as it readies to defend "the National Day of Prayer Task Force against a lawsuit by an atheist group."

Apparently they are preparing themselves in case a lawsuit to stop the National Day of Prayer is ever "accepted by the District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin." To this end, "ADF has agreed to defend the National Day of Prayer Task Force."

The task force is headed up by Shirley Dobson who happens to be the wife of Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, who has made no bones about his perceived threat of atheist groups and the like.

Last October, FFRF filed a lawsuit in Judge Barbara Crabb’s District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin. According to their press release from October 3, 2008, "[t]he Freedom From Religion Foundation, a national state/church watchdog, filed a federal lawsuit today broadly challenging the federal law designating a National Day of Prayer and requiring a National Day of Prayer Proclamation by the President. In addition to suing Pres. George W. Bush, the lawsuit names his press secretary, Dana Perino, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle, one of 50 governors to also issue prayer proclamations, and Shirley Dobson, chair of the National Day of Prayer Task Force."

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, Atheism Examiner

As a former Christian, Trina possesses a unique perspective on atheism. She is a ravenous researcher who constantly seeks truth through exploration of evidence. In her book, 1 Atheist 1 Voice, she shares her opinions.

Comments

  • Mike 3 years ago

    We need to defend America against Christian fringe groups and radicals.

  • Jinx McHue 3 years ago

    "FFRF does not work to 'silence any expression of faith.'"

    And the tree in my backyard grows apples made out of gold.

  • Jinx McHue 3 years ago

    "We need to defend America against Christian fringe groups and radicals."

    I bet my "Christian fringe groups and radicals" represents more people than your fringe groups and radicals.

  • Gman 3 years ago

    Mike : you need to defend America against yourself.
    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves"
    Abraham Lincoln

  • Mike 3 years ago

    "America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves"

    And he was right. Look at who the religious radicals helped into power: Bush, a president who lied in order to get us into war, ruined our reputation, disregarded our Constitution, committed torture, and bankrupted our nation in the process.

    It's religious radicals and extremists that are destroying our liberties.

    "Mike : you need to defend America against yourself."

    No, we need to defend it against people like you.

  • Kate 3 years ago

    Jinx, your "argument from popularity" is not only a logical fallacy, it's just silly. Your claim that FFRF wants to silence believers is pure sophistry.

    Freedom from religion is a logical extension of freedom of religion, but you don't want that either, do you?

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