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National Day of Prayer Struck Down in Federal Court

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matt wade

Well-Known Member
The National Day of Prayer does not endorse one religion over another. It does not force unbelievers to pray. It does not impose on the right of any citizen. It does not restrict the life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness of anyone. This case is about one group's (Freedom From Religion Foundation) hatred of anything religious, nothing else.
 
Salty

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
Is the next step to rule that military chaplains violate the (so-called) separation of church and state.
 
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Magnetic Poles

New Member
She insisted her ruling was not a judgment on the value of prayer.
"No one can doubt the important role that prayer plays in the spiritual life of a believer," Crabb said in her opinion. "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. ... 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."
 
M

matt wade

Well-Known Member
Magnetic Poles said:
She insisted her ruling was not a judgment on the value of prayer.
"No one can doubt the important role that prayer plays in the spiritual life of a believer," Crabb said in her opinion. "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. ... 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."
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Yes, I think we know how to read the article. You don't need to post it here.

As for her comment, the last sentence is not a valid comparison to the National Day of Prayer. The National Day of Prayer does not endorse a particular religion. Each of her examples (fast during Ramadan, attending a synagogue, and purifying in a rune magic sweat lodge) endorse a very specific religion.
 
M

matt wade

Well-Known Member
Magnetic Poles said:
Do you need the government to endorse your prayers to God? Should it also endorse Muslim prayers to Allah? To a Wiccan goddess? Where to draw the line in a pluralistic society?
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The government is not endorsing prayers to God. The National Day of Prayer is not specifically for the God of the Bible. It is a day of prayer for those of any religion. Those without religion should take it as a day of reflection.
 
M

Magnetic Poles

New Member
matt wade said:
The government is not endorsing prayers to God. The National Day of Prayer is not specifically for the God of the Bible. It is a day of prayer for those of any religion. Those without religion should take it as a day of reflection.
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So you need a government to encourage you to pray. I don't need that kind of nanny state.
 
M

matt wade

Well-Known Member
Magnetic Poles said:
So you need a government to encourage you to pray. I don't need that kind of nanny state.
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Well, then, I guess you should leave this country. It has been a tradition going back to the founding of this "nanny state".

There have been several national days of prayer in the U.S. before the day was made official in 1952. The Continental Congress issued a day of prayer in 1775 to designate "a time for prayer in forming a new nation." During the Quasi-War with France, President John Adams declared May 9, 1798 as "a day of solemn humiliation, fasting, and prayer," during which citizens of all faiths were asked to pray "that our country may be protected from all the dangers which threaten it".
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Prayer
 
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Magnetic Poles

New Member
matt wade said:
Well, then, I guess you should leave this country. It has been a tradition going back to the founding of this "nanny state".



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Day_of_Prayer
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Hardly. From your link.
The National Day of Prayer is a day designated by the United States Congress as a day when people are asked to come together and pray, especially for their country. It was created as a floating holiday in 1952 and fixed on the first Thursday in May by Ronald Reagan.
​
Again, why do fundie so-called "conservatives" who want government to mind its own business, expect said government to promote religion? Can we say "hypocrisy"?

Funny, I missed how the USA was founded in 1952.
 
Salty

Salty

20,000 Posts Club
Administrator
Magnetic Poles said:
So you need a government to encourage you to pray. I don't need that kind of nanny state.
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No, we do not need the State to encourage us to pray. It is simply an opportunity for Christians to come together in prayer and power. Further, no one is forced to come.

So, MP, please answer my previous ? - should the military chaplain Corps be done away with?

and now I have a second questions. Would you object to the govt doing away with federal and State employees taking off Christmas and Thanksgiving. A simple yes or no is sufficient
 
M

Magnetic Poles

New Member
Salty said:
No, we do not need the State to encourage us to pray. It is simply an opportunity for Christians to come together in prayer and power. Further, no one is forced to come.

So, MP, please answer my previous ? - should the military chaplain Corps be done away with?

and now I have a second questions. Would you object to the govt doing away with federal and State employees taking off Christmas and Thanksgiving. A simple yes or no is sufficient
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Yes on nixing chaplains, yes on nixing the holidays. Make the holidays floating so people can observe any day they wish.
 
M

Magnetic Poles

New Member
BTW, it is the neo-Baptists who have abandoned the traditional Baptist position of endorsing total separation of church and government.
 
M

matt wade

Well-Known Member
Magnetic Poles said:
Hardly. From your link.
The National Day of Prayer is a day designated by the United States Congress as a day when people are asked to come together and pray, especially for their country. It was created as a floating holiday in 1952 and fixed on the first Thursday in May by Ronald Reagan.
​
Again, why do fundie so-called "conservatives" who want government to mind its own business, expect said government to promote religion? Can we say "hypocrisy"?

Funny, I missed how the USA was founded in 1952.
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Why are you attempting to be deceptive? I know you read the following from my quote:

There have been several national days of prayer in the U.S. before the day was made official in 1952.
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