More than 50 years after it was made official by a joint resolution of Congress, the National Day of Prayer is being threatened by a group of atheists.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit, saying the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional and creates a “hostile environment for nonbelievers.”
The Alliance Defense Fund will defend the National Day of Prayer Task Force.
“The lawsuit will not keep us from responding to our call to ask Americans to intercede in prayer for our nation’s leaders and their families,” said Brian Toon, vice chairman of the NDP Task Force. “We pray without fear of retribution.”
The National Day of Prayer falls on the first Thursday of May — May 7 this year. Millions gather across the nation in stadiums, schools, town halls, state capitols, nursing homes and prisons.
“The National Day of Prayer is one more reminder to the enemy that we are not willing to give up our nation,” Toon said.
Kevin Theriot, senior counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) faces an uphill battle. He said the case may not even reach the courtroom.
“The National Day of Prayer is something that has been done for years,” he told CitizenLink. “The Supreme Court has said that prayers don’t violate the Constitution.
“They (FFRF) have to realize that their chances of succeeding are slim, very slim.”
TAKE ACTION
Watch a special video on the ADF Web site. You can also sign a petition encouraging President Barack Obama to support NDP by issuing a presidential proclamation — something every president since 1952 has done.
Visit the National Day of Prayer Web site.
