Posted: 04/19/2010 at 2:09pm | IP Logged

WISCONSIN (ANS) -- A federal judge in Wisconsin Wednesday found the National Day of Prayer to be unconstitutional, saying it violates the First Amendment prohibition laws respecting an establishment of religion.

The decision was rendered in a case brought some years ago against the Bush (and subsequently Obama) administration by the 15,000-member Freedom From Religion Foundation.

The Presidential Prayer Team (PPT) says the court's action will not impact the activities planned around this year's May 6 National Day of Prayer activities in Washington, D.C. on the steps of the Capitol, on the Mall by the Washington Monument, at the ellipse near the Jefferson Memorial, and in many cities around the country.

The Presidential Prayer Team says it will also be sending information regarding the rumors that President Obama has cancelled the National Day of Prayer.

"The fact is -- last year President Obama cancelled only the White House's involvement in the National Day of Prayer," the PPT said.

PPT asks believers across the US "to prepare your own heart in readiness for what will come next, and to pray for The Presidential Prayer Team."

In a statement released to the media, PPT says :"As the largest intercessory prayer group in the United States, we must address our eroding rights to openly pray in America. Pray specifically for wisdom and our understanding of God's timing as we formalize a plan to involve our entire membership.

"Now is not the time to sit back and watch. Now is the time to pray. Now is the time to gather others to pray with you."

Judge Rules Statute Setting National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional, Americans Urge President Obama to Appeal

The National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDPTF) and Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) are urging President Obama to appeal federal judge Barbara Crabb's decision in Wisconsin that struck down a federal statute that sets a day for the National Day of Prayer.

The order does not affect presidential prayer proclamations and will not go into effect unless the decision still stands after all appeals are exhausted in the case.

Shirley Dobson, Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force and wife of Focus on the Family Founder Dr. James Dobson, said: "Since the days of our Founding Fathers, the government has protected and encouraged public prayer and other expressions of dependence on the Almighty. This is a concerted effort by a small but determined number of people who have tried to prohibit all references to the Creator in the public square, whether it be the Ten Commandments, the Pledge of Allegiance, or the simple act of corporate prayer -- this is unconscionable for a free society."

Joel Oster, ADF senior counsel, echoed these sentiments saying, "It's important to remember this about the National Day of Prayer: It's America's heritage, and this day belongs to Americans -- the court should not have struck down this statute. ADF urges the Obama administration to appeal this terrible ruling that not only undermines the National Day of Prayer, but the underlying heritage and tradition of the American people which dates back to the nation's founding."

"The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for all Americans to pray voluntarily according to their own faith," Oster explained. "It does not violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, and this decision should be appealed."

Background to National day of Prayer

In 1952, President Harry Truman signed into law a joint resolution of Congress to set aside an annual National Day of Prayer. Congress amended the law in 1988, which was signed by President Ronald Reagan, for the purpose of establishing a more particular date.

The law currently reads, "The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation challenged the constitutionality of the statute in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin.

The tradition of designating an official day of prayer actually began with the Continental Congress in 1775, after which President George Washington issued a National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation.

Ever since, American presidents have made similar proclamations and "appeals to the Almighty."

Historically, all 50 governors, along with U.S. presidents, have issued proclamations in honor of the National Day of Prayer.

The court order does not demand that the 59th National Day of Prayer which occurs May 6, be canceled.

Citizens desiring more information on the efforts of the NDPTF and ADF to defend the National Day of Prayer can visit www.NationalDayofPrayer.org .

The National Day of Prayer tradition predates the founding of the United States of America, evidenced by the Continental Congress' proclamation in 1775 setting aside a day of prayer.

In 1952, Congress established an annual day of prayer and, in 1988, that law was amended, designating the National Day of Prayer as the first Thursday in May.

In God We Trust Calls on President to Celebrate National Day of Prayer Despite Court Ruling

The national advocacy group In God We Trust Thursday called on the Obama Administration to continue to vigorously defend the National Day of Prayer in court and for the President to issue the traditional Presidential proclamation next month despite a court ruling yesterday that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional.

"Prayer is never unconstitutional," says Bishop Council Nedd, In God We Trust's National Chairman.

"American Presidents have led this nation in prayer since its founding. Yesterday's court ruling declaring the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional is one of the most egregious examples of out of control judges making law from the bench," Nedd said.

"To say the President of the United States cannot say a prayer, or lead the nation that elected him in prayer, is violating his first amendment rights. Celebrating the National Day of Prayer does not force anyone to believe in anything," Nedd added.

"It is simply recognizing the fact that an overwhelming number of Americans believe in God and that prayer plays an important role in American culture. The Administration must appeal this decision and the President should still issue the traditional proclamation next May. Anything less will be considered a slap in the face to American people."

The lawsuit that resulted in Wednesday's ruling was filed by the Freedom from Religion Foundation, the nation's preeminent atheist group. The FfRF is a member organization of the Secular Coalition of America whose representatives met with members of the White House political staff last February.

"I hope the President will stand up to his atheist allies and stand up for the American people by defending the National Day of Prayer," Nedd says.

In God We Trust is a national political advocacy organization with over 70,000 supporters of various faiths. Council Nedd is a traditional Episcopal priest and serves as the Bishop of the Chesapeake and Northeast for the Episcopal Missionary Church. On the Internet: www.InGodWeTrustUSA.org  .

Judge Bans National Day of Prayer: Sign Free Petition to Obama

As Federal Judge Barbara Crabb Wednesday ruled in favor of atheist complainers at the Freedom from Religion Foundation, that government recognition of prayer violates the First Amendment, Christians are being asked to sign a petition to defend the observance.

Judge Crabb claimed her decision "carries out the Founders' plan of preserving religious liberty to the fullest extent possible in a pluralistic society," proving she actually believes the Founding Fathers, who prayed to the Judeo-Christian God in Congress, would now suddenly oppose public acts of prayer.

The Pray In Jesus Name Project, led by Chaplain Gordon James Klingenschmitt, has already gathered several thousand paper and electronic petition signatures asking President Obama to defend and reinstate public observance of the National Day of Prayer, which Congress created in 1952.

To sign the FREE petition asking President Obama to reinstate NDOP, visit: http://tinyurl.com/obamapray. Please also help their petition go viral by tweeting these words on Twitter/Facebook: "Sign Free Petition: Ask President Obama to reinstate the National Day of Prayer. http://tinyurl.com/obamapray  . Please re-tweet many times."

Thus far, the Pray In Jesus Name Prohect says White House officials have not yet agreed to meet with Chaplain Klingenschmitt, or receive his petitions.

Please call the White House at 202-456-1111 to leave a comment for Joshua Dubois, leader of Obama's faith initiative.

"As a former Navy Chaplain who was punished for praying 'in Jesus name' in uniform," said Klingenschmitt.

"I will be joining thousands of people and scores of national ministry leaders at the www.MayDay2010.org  event on May 1st, to pray at the Lincoln Memorial. I hereby invite President Obama to come pray with us, and receive our petitions in person that day."

The www.MayDay2010.org  prayer rally at the Lincoln Memorial on May 1st is endorsed by James Dobson, Tim Wildmon, Dutch Sheets, Cindy Jacobs, Janet Porter, Rick Scarborough, Mat Staver, 5 Congressmen, and many others.

Chaplain Klingenschmitt may participate in a press conference late next week outside the White House, but is available now for news interviews, at 719-360-5132, or email chaplaingate@yahoo.com .

Rep. Tiahrt, Tony Perkins, The Dobsons and Jay Sekulow Urge Attorney-General Holder to Appeal National Day of Prayer Ruling

U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.), Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, National Day of Prayer Task Force Chairman and wife of Focus on the Family Founder Dr. James Dobson, Shirley Dobson and ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow Thursday called on Attorney-General Eric Holder to appeal the ruling by U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb who ruled this week that the annual National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional.

Tiahrt is introducing a congressional resolution condemning this ill-advised decision and supporting the continued recognition of the National Day of Prayer.

"The National Day of Prayer is a time when we as a nation acknowledge our deep reliance on God and ask for his guidance in these uncertain times," said Tiahrt.

"From the earliest days of our nation's history, our Founding Fathers and presidents have called for days of prayer and fasting to be observed. Judge Crabb's misguided ruling against a long-established tradition was characteristic of liberal judicial activism that has sought to remove God from the public square. Attorney General Holder should immediately appeal the Wisconsin court's ruling that found the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional."

Perkins said, "This ruling does violence both to the U.S. Constitution and to the deeply-held convictions of the great majority of Americans that turning to God for guidance and strength is a wise and good thing to do. The Declaration of Independence asserts that the reality of our Creator and His gift to us of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' is 'self-evident.'

"Perhaps Judge Crabb needs to consider these truths that are the very foundation of our country. Judge Crabb is showing disdain for the principles of our founding, contempt for America's heritage, disinterest in the views of the vast majority of Americans and disregard for the will of Congress. She should be ashamed and her ruling should quickly be reversed."

Dobson said, "Since the days of our Founding Fathers, the government has protected and encouraged public prayer and other expressions of dependence on the Almighty. This is a concerted effort by a small but determined number of people who have tried to prohibit all references to the Creator in the public square, whether it be the Ten Commandments, the Pledge of Allegiance, or the simple act of corporate prayer - this is unconscionable for a free society."

Sekulow said, "It is unfortunate that this court failed to understand that a day set aside for prayer for the country represents a time-honored tradition that embraces the First Amendment, not violates it."

Tiahrt said, "Judge Crabb's ruling was an offense to our constitutional rights and radically seeks to overturn more than two centuries of historic precedent rooted in Judeo-Christian values. Our Founding Fathers understood the absolute need for dependence upon God, and we are no less in need of his assistance today than when our country was founded.

"In addition to an appeal of the ruling by the Justice Department, Congress should consider other actions to address the District Court's ruling."

______________________________________________

PRESIDENTIAL PRAYER TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION:
Phone: (Toll Free) 866-433-PRAY or 866-433-7729 (Press 1 for Member Services) Fax: 480-422-9058
Mail Address: The Presidential Prayer Team, PO Box 15040, Scottsdale, AZ 85267-5040 Email Address: Info@PresidentialPrayerTeam.org

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER TASK FORCE CONTACT INFO: Contact: Michael Calhoun,
Director, The National Day of Prayer Task Force,
719-531-3379, media@nationaldayofprayer.org  
www.NationalDayofPrayer.org  

CONTACT INFO FOR CHAPLAIN KLINGENSCHMITT:
719-360-5132, chaplaingate@yahoo.com  
www.PrayInJesusName.org  

CONTACT INFO FOR REP. TIAHRT:
Wendy Knox 202.225.6216
Sam Sackett 316.262.8992
Representative Todd Tiahrt: www.Tiahrt.House.gov  

Source: (ANS) www.assistnews.net