National Day of Prayer Rule Unconstitutional (Congress, border, government, state)

[tigerlily]

A federal judge in Wisconsin ruled the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional Thursday, saying the day amounts to a call for religious action.
Clip:
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."

The Associated Press: Federal judge rules Day of Prayer unconstitutional

[Theliberalvoice]

Good for the people of Wisconsin.

[chielgirl]

I always look at Wisconsin as a progressive state.
They've got a good focus on environmentalism, organic farming, etc.

[BigHouse9]

Ridiculous, you don't have to pray if you don't want and to pray as by its definition is not solely related to religion: "to make a request in a humble manner". It can be religious if you would like but it doesn't have to be.

What a "regression' towards stupidity and ignorance.

[Ferd]

I think it should read something like

"An idiot who infests a lower court in Wis....


that is more accurate.

[workingclasshero]

how is this unconstitutional...it didnt specify any peticular religion

I pray to the trees since I am a druid..

[betamanlet]

Someone might be offended!
\
:liberal:

[chielgirl]

Originally Posted by BigHouse9

Ridiculous, you don't have to pray if you don't want and to pray as by its definition is not solely related to religion: "to make a request in a humble manner". It can be religious if you would like but it doesn't have to be.

What a "regression' towards stupidity and ignorance.

Prayer is religious.
Otherwise, what would you pray for/to? Yourself?

Here's the Merriam-Webster definition of prayer:

Prayer - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Date: 14th century
1 a (1) : an address (as a petition) to God or a god in word or thought <said a prayer for the success of the voyage> (2) : a set order of words used in praying b : an earnest request or wish
2 : the act or practice of praying to God or a god <kneeling in prayer>
3 : a religious service consisting chiefly of prayers —often used in plural
4 : something prayed for
5 : a slight chance <haven't got a prayer>

[Ferd]

for those who are following along at home....

it should be noted that the very first congress paid a preacher to come to washington and pray before the first congress began.


there was never an intent for a "wall of seperation" that blocks religious activity by the government.

the only seperation the framers intended was that Governemnt would not pick one group over another and favor them.

[lmkcin]

Originally Posted by BigHouse9

Ridiculous, you don't have to pray if you don't want and to pray as by its definition is not solely related to religion: "to make a request in a humble manner". It can be religious if you would like but it doesn't have to be.

What a "regression' towards stupidity and ignorance.

Yes, it is not the place of OUR government to make such rules promoting any religious acts, ie prayer. It's not a matter of you if you don't want to, you don't have to. That is a childish and ignorant remark. If you think it's "regressive" to uphold the Constitution, then allow me to show you the border.

Go read the first amendment, and the letters and documents left by the Founding Fathers.

Good for Wisconsin!