Comments on: National Day of Prayer – Unconstitutional? http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional Miami Valley's Arts, Culture & News Weekly Wed, 15 May 2013 21:09:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Tammy Miller http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/comment-page-1/#comment-183 Tammy Miller Sun, 02 May 2010 19:56:25 +0000 http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/?p=241#comment-183 What makes America truly an exceptional country is that each one of us is equal in the eyes of government and that we've mostly enjoyed a peaceful history. If government begins using its rule to promote Christianity, will government workers like our IRS agents, police force, and school teachers be giving fair and equal treatment to Jewish, Muslim or Atheist citizens and children. If Christianity is allowed to invade government workings, my fear is that America will have lost its most precious principle - that each citizen has an equal chance for prosperity and success. Will our country then dissolve into the violence between Protestants and Catholics that I recall from watching television after dinner with the family? Will America's denominations learn to understand how Sunnis and Shia seem destined to feud forever? I oppose prayer organized and promoted by government officials for these reasons but at the same time, I would defend my neighbor's right to worship. After all, equality and peace is something that all American citizens can agree to enjoy. What makes America truly an exceptional country is that each one of us is equal in the eyes of government and that we’ve mostly enjoyed a peaceful history. If government begins using its rule to promote Christianity, will government workers like our IRS agents, police force, and school teachers be giving fair and equal treatment to Jewish, Muslim or Atheist citizens and children. If Christianity is allowed to invade government workings, my fear is that America will have lost its most precious principle – that each citizen has an equal chance for prosperity and success. Will our country then dissolve into the violence between Protestants and Catholics that I recall from watching television after dinner with the family? Will America’s denominations learn to understand how Sunnis and Shia seem destined to feud forever? I oppose prayer organized and promoted by government officials for these reasons but at the same time, I would defend my neighbor’s right to worship. After all, equality and peace is something that all American citizens can agree to enjoy.

]]> By: Manfred Koehler http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/comment-page-1/#comment-165 Manfred Koehler Sat, 01 May 2010 13:49:04 +0000 http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/?p=241#comment-165 Judge Crabb`s ruling is very well reasoned; the only thing surprising is that it took so long for the constitutional issue to be even raised! Where were our "Constitutional Lawyers" 50 years ago? But then, for our present President (a constitutional lawyer) not to see the violation, is all the more perplexing! Judge Crabb`s ruling is very well reasoned; the only thing surprising is that it took so long for the constitutional issue to be even raised! Where were our “Constitutional Lawyers” 50 years ago? But then, for our present President (a constitutional lawyer) not to see the violation, is all the more perplexing!

]]> By: momintum http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/comment-page-1/#comment-156 momintum Sat, 01 May 2010 01:22:38 +0000 http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/?p=241#comment-156 Combining religion with politics on any level is lighting the fuse to a WMD scenario. Surely even the most coarse must take note of the many negative aspects and results the world has already endured at the hands of some sky-fairy concept. Humanity's penchant for the fantastic combined with imagination sets a stage for any dogmatism to manifest on the population's fears as always. Mixing already unstable emotions that may over-ride reason and common sense with guns and armaments is counter productive. Combining religion with politics on any level is lighting the fuse to a WMD scenario. Surely even the most coarse must take note of the many negative aspects and results the world has already endured at the hands of some sky-fairy concept. Humanity’s penchant for the fantastic combined with imagination sets a stage for any dogmatism to manifest on the population’s fears as always. Mixing already unstable emotions that may over-ride reason and common sense with guns and armaments is counter productive.

]]> By: Ruth Walker http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/comment-page-1/#comment-153 Ruth Walker Fri, 30 Apr 2010 22:08:21 +0000 http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/?p=241#comment-153 Judge Crabb carefully reviewed the case law, concluding that laws are required to serve a secular purpose. She could find none in the law(s) requiring the presidents to proclaim national days of prayer. Her ruling is thoughtful and thorough and can be read here: http://ffrf.org/uploads/legal/SummaryJudgementGeitner.PDF An excellent editorial showing the Founders' intent and history is here: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_a7b2592b-d735-5886-a997-703770877dc4.html Judge Crabb carefully reviewed the case law, concluding that laws are required to serve a secular purpose. She could find none in the law(s) requiring the presidents to proclaim national days of prayer. Her ruling is thoughtful and thorough and can be read here:

http://ffrf.org/uploads/legal/SummaryJudgementGeitner.PDF

An excellent editorial showing the Founders’ intent and history is here:

http://host.madison.com/ct/news/opinion/column/john_nichols/article_a7b2592b-d735-5886-a997-703770877dc4.html

]]> By: Cindy Gross http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/comment-page-1/#comment-147 Cindy Gross Fri, 30 Apr 2010 18:04:05 +0000 http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/?p=241#comment-147 The National Day of Prayer seems to be most loved by those who believe government is the root of all evil and that government needs to be smaller and less intrusive. Isn't the NDOP an inappropriate use of government? If government is inefficient and ineffective as so many on the right suggest, then why would you want government promoting prayer, wouldn't that be counter-productive? The National Day of Prayer seems to be most loved by those who believe government is the root of all evil and that government needs to be smaller and less intrusive. Isn’t the NDOP an inappropriate use of government? If government is inefficient and ineffective as so many on the right suggest, then why would you want government promoting prayer, wouldn’t that be counter-productive?

]]> By: David Hall http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/national-day-of-prayer-unconstitutional/comment-page-1/#comment-146 David Hall Fri, 30 Apr 2010 17:32:15 +0000 http://www.daytoncitypaper.com/?p=241#comment-146 The National Day of Prayer (NDP) does endorse religion. It's an endorsement because the President of United States participates in ceremonies in his official capacity, not as a private citizen. The establishment clause has been violated since the NDP was officially announced by congress in the 1950s. Government at any level in the United States has no business promoting ANY religious activity. It must be absolutely neutral! The National Day of Prayer (NDP) does endorse religion. It’s an endorsement because the President of United States participates in ceremonies in his official capacity, not as a private citizen. The establishment clause has been violated since the NDP was officially announced by congress in the 1950s. Government at any level in the United States has no business promoting ANY religious activity. It must be absolutely neutral!

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