“The same law that prohibits the government from declaring a National Day of Prayer also prohibits it from declaring a National Day of Blasphemy,” ruled senior federal District Judge Barbara Crabb, in her April 15, 2010 decision. Congress may no more declare a National Day of Prayer than it “may encourage citizens to fast during the month of Ramadan, attend a synagogue, purify themselves in a sweat lodge or practice rune magic.”…. Judge Crabb added: “It is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence any individual’s decision whether and when to pray.”…. Disappointingly, President Obama announced on April 22 that he will appeal the ruling. The religious-right backlash has begun. Religious-right groups are raising funds and a ruckus to protest the ruling. The National Day of Prayer Task Force (housed in Focus on the Family headquarters), has hijacked the National Day of Prayer as an evangelical Christian event.
You don’t have to look for to find examples of why mixing religion with politics and government is a VERY bad idea (Iran, anyone??). Nevertheless, there are those out there who, Constitution be damned, would force their religion upon all of us by making it the law of the land. I’m sick to death of listening to Christians wax rhapsodic about how “America is a Christian nation”…all while conveniently forgetting that this country was founded by those fleeing religious persecution.
Those who do not know history are condemned to repeat it. Somewhere, Georges Santayana is spinning furiously in his grave.
Repeat after me, y’all: America is NOT a Christian country. America is a country with a secular government serving a Christian majority…and yes, that distinction IS important. Being a non-Christian, I strongly resent efforts to turn American democracy into a functional theocracy. If you’re a Christian, you’re certainly free to practice your faith; I have no issue with that. When you begin attempting to inject your faith into American governance, however…that I most certainly DO have a problem with. You are entitled to your faith; you are NOT entitled to force that faith upon people like me who happen not to share it.
The controversy over the National Day of Prayer is a perfect example of Christian oppression. My issue is not with prayer, nor with people who pray. My objection is with the idea of declaring a National Day of Prayer when no such celebration exists for any other religion, that somehow Christianity is THE American religion. Anyone who thinks that Right-wing Christians wouldn’t vociferously object to such recognitions for other faith traditions is sadly mistaken. “National Meditation Day”? Cue the righteous indignation in 4…3…2….
The separation of Church and State is not a nice idea intended to be cast aside when it impinges on the “rights” of Christians. No, the separation of Church and State is one of the things that keeps this country from turning into Iran or something equally evil and sinister. Pray to your God if that is what gives your life purpose and meaning…but don’t be thinking that you have the absolute right to use government as an instrument for promoting your flavor of Christianity. Your Christianity is your own; it does not connote upon you the right to use public money and resources to exalt it above the beliefs and faith traditions of others.
