Its about time:judge rules National Day of Prayer unconstitutional

Discussion in 'Politics' started by Free Thinker, Apr 15, 2010.

  1. its about time. the government should not be involved in organized superstition rituals:


    Federal judge rules Day of Prayer unconstitutional
    By TODD RICHMOND (AP) – 2 hours ago

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

    http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gd8532foDasi_HtAzi9JolkMVlqQD9F3PCE00

    "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."
    "
     
  2. At least the Muslims can gather in DC and pray.
     
  3. Wallet

    Wallet

    The very first American settlers and why they came here.

    The Mayflower Compact.

    In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

    Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November [New Style, November 21], in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.


    This country was established to promote and freely worship the God of the Bible, the whole concept of Church/State separation was to prevent the past (being persecuted by the British Governments State Run Church) It was not an open door to worship any belief of the individual, but to worship the Christian God free from Government influence.

    Today's interpretation is an abomination of the original context.
     
  4. any group can gather and pray or piss into the wind for that matter. we just dont want the government declaring a special day where its citizens are encouraged to participate in a superstitious ritual.
     
  5. Our gov't does promote and accommodate superstitious rituals, foot baths come to mind.
     
  6. jem

    jem

    Here reasoning is contrived. This confused judge from wisconsin is very likely to be overuled unless the SCOTUS sees a lot of retirements.
     
  7. Wallet

    Wallet

    What's wrong free thinker, historical accuracy not fitting with your liberal atheistic agenda, this country is founded on prayer, it's founding fathers encouraged and practiced prayer openly in conjunction with it's politics............... you don't like it tough, your judge is in err.
     
  8. stu

    stu

    Don't be ridiculous. A little historical accuracy wouldn't go amiss yourself.

    America was already Colonized into the original 13 states years before the rag tag motley crew of half dead Puritans that had managed to survive their fecked up journey in the Mayflower along with their exuberant declaration , came across to the new world.

    The Puritans had no rights to dictate how or what America should or should not worship.
     
  9. Wallet

    Wallet

    ???????

    Sorry Stu, the original 13 colonies did not exist prior to the Mayflower landing in 1620

    The Pilgrims were the first English colonists to permanently settle in New England in what we now know as Massachusetts.
     
  10. True or false: The original intended destination of the Mayflower was Virginia, where the Mayflower pilgrims would join the already established colonists in the vicinity of Chesapeake Bay.

    t. The Mayflower colonists were not interested in establishing a new colony, but rather wanted to join the colonists in the already established Virginia settlements where Puritanism had achieved a reasonably strong foothold. Unfortunately, the ship's navigators steered the Mayflower well off course (inclement weather probably participated as well) and they ended up several hundred miles north of Jamestown, where they felt compelled to land and create a base, it being the winter season.

    Yes or no: All of the passengers aboard the Mayflower were heading towards America for the purposes of escaping what they viewed as religious repression.

    n. In fact there were a number of individuals on board the ship, a majority really, who did not label themselves 'Puritans' but rather were simply looking for adventure and opportunity. However, it should be noted that the Puritans were the most dominant single force among the future colonists, particularly since they presented a unity not existing amongst the 'strangers' (as the non-Puritans were called).

    http://www.funtrivia.com/en/subtopics/The-Voyage-of-the-Mayflower-113278.html
     
    #10     Apr 16, 2010