Federal Judge Strikes Down National Day Of Prayer Statute

[Slappo]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='18 April 2010 - 12:38 PM' timestamp='1271619512' post='2095701']
Where you go wrong, however, is that it's the job of judges and the judicial branch to [s]interpret[/s]abuse the Constitution. If you take issue, become a judge and do something about it. Otherwise, too bad, so sad.
[/quote]



At least that's what it's become.

See Roe Vs Wade, this law, the health care bill, and several other unconstitutional acts.

[add]

Prayer outlawed is a path to misery

All hope abandon ye who enter here.

[Fidei Defensor]

[quote name='apparently' date='18 April 2010 - 05:30 PM' timestamp='1271633434' post='2095833']
Prayer outlawed is a path to misery

All hope abandon ye who enter here.
[/quote]
It's not outlawed. A governmentally recognized day aimed at encouraging prayer is outlawed. Why do you need a special day? Shouldn't you always be praying?

[Slappo]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='18 April 2010 - 05:45 PM' timestamp='1271637941' post='2095852']
It's not outlawed. A governmentally recognized day aimed at encouraging prayer is outlawed. [b]Why do you need a special day?[/b] Shouldn't you always be praying?
[/quote]

Valentie's Day should also be outlawed, so should Christmas and Easter.

After all... Christmas is recognized by the government as the majority of government workers get the day off. It is holiday (holy day) pay...

Government workers should have to use leave to take Christmas off.

Also, Valentines day comes from a Catholic feast and it is an unnecessary day to celebrate love. Shouldn't you love every day?


Edit: This is satire. I'm a government worker and I'd be very mad if I had to use a day of leave for Christmas.

Edited April 19, 2010 by Slappo

[Socrates]

Calling for "national days of prayer" by the president and government leaders was actually common and uncontroversial in America until the 20th century. This was how the current Thanksgiving holiday was started (called by Abraham Lincoln).

[add]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='18 April 2010 - 09:45 PM' timestamp='1271637941' post='2095852']
It's not outlawed. A governmentally recognized day aimed at encouraging prayer is outlawed. Why do you need a special day? [b][color="#0000ff"]what is the harm?[/color][/b] Shouldn't you always be praying? [b][color="#0000ff"]always yes [/color][/b]
[/quote]

[b][color="#0000ff"]prayer is a common denominator. seriously what is the harm? a [/color][/b][b][color="#0000ff"]governmentally recognized day of prayer is not a holiday, but it should be.[/color][/b]
[b][color="#0000ff"]
most official holidays have religious origins and are governmentally recognized[/color][/b].

[Fidei Defensor]

[quote name='Socrates' date='18 April 2010 - 07:30 PM' timestamp='1271640658' post='2095871']
Calling for "national days of prayer" by the president and government leaders was actually common and uncontroversial in America until the 20th century. This was how the current Thanksgiving holiday was started (called by Abraham Lincoln).
[/quote]
So? Just because it's been done doesn't mean it should be. I don't really think you want to open that can of worms...

[Thy Geekdom Come]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='18 April 2010 - 10:56 PM' timestamp='1271645815' post='2095905']
So? Just because it's been done doesn't mean it should be. I don't really think you want to open that can of worms...
[/quote]
Does a can of worms make the familiar "pop-pssssssssshhh" sound upon opening or is it somehow a more slimey, slow moving onomatopoeia?

[add]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='18 April 2010 - 11:56 PM' timestamp='1271645815' post='2095905']
So? Just because it's been done doesn't mean it should be. I don't really think you want to open that can of worms...
[/quote]

?
what, can of worms do speak of, who would get hurt and Y?

[Ephrem Augustine]

When the Constitution was written, in accepting the freedom for men and women to practice whatever faith they had, they valued freedom for religion. It was a prudent reaction against the way that religion and politics were so intimately tied that religion inevitably became a way for political powers to manipulate their people.

National Day of Prayer does no such thing.

I think, in an environment of much religious diversity, such as we have in this country, it is essential to have some kind of recognition on part of the government, of the importance of our freedom to practice religion. In the early days of our country, a day of prayer could be seen as a way to unite people of diverse religious practice. Unfortunately a small minority of people think that religion is nothing more than division. I think it gives all the more reason to have things like this right?

[Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam]

[quote name='apparently' date='18 April 2010 - 10:42 PM' timestamp='1271641369' post='2095875']

[b][color="#0000ff"]
most official holidays have religious origins and are governmentally recognized[/color][/b].
[/quote]

Ever notice that the word holiday is a derivative of the words "holy day?"

[add]

[quote name='Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam' date='19 April 2010 - 11:08 AM' timestamp='1271686090' post='2096188']
Ever notice that the word holiday is a derivative of the words "holy day?"
[/quote]

[b]mere coincidence, i think not[/b]

[Socrates]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='18 April 2010 - 10:56 PM' timestamp='1271645815' post='2095905']
So? Just because it's been done doesn't mean it should be. I don't really think you want to open that can of worms...
[/quote]
Wasn't the whole opposition that it supposedly somehow violated the Constitution?
As president, James Madison, "the Father of the Constitution," declared a "national day of prayer and fasting" during the War of 1812.

An "establishment of religion" in the 18th century meant an official national tax-supported church, like the Church of England. A non-denominational "day of prayer" does not constitute such an establishment.

Besides, I fail to see how a national day of prayer would actually harm anyone. I find "slippery slope arguments" that it's a short step from a day of prayer to the Spanish Inquisition or whatever a bit weak, to say the least - especially considering that national days of prayer have been around since our nation's founding.

[add]

[quote name='Socrates' date='19 April 2010 - 08:29 PM' timestamp='1271719770' post='2096449']
Wasn't the whole opposition that it supposedly somehow violated the Constitution?
As president, James Madison, "the Father of the Constitution," declared a "national day of prayer and fasting" during the War of 1812.

An "establishment of religion" in the 18th century meant an official national tax-supported church, like the Church of England. A non-denominational "day of prayer" does not constitute such an establishment.

Besides, I fail to see how a national day of prayer would actually harm anyone. I find "slippery slope arguments" that it's a short step from a day of prayer to the Spanish Inquisition or whatever a bit weak, to say the least - especially considering that national days of prayer have been around since our nation's founding.
[/quote]

right on, bro

[Winchester]

[quote name='fidei defensor' date='18 April 2010 - 03:22 PM' timestamp='1271618579' post='2095692']
No, the judge is correct. No one is forcing anyone to pray, but it's still a governmental backed day of an inherently religious activity. No one is prohibiting you from praying but the government has no right to set aside a day and recognize it as a day to pray because that is establishing a religious activity which is prohibited by the Constitution.
[/quote]
It's not a religion itself and it's not a violation because it's not regulating any religion.