By the CNN Wire Staff
(CNN) - A national organization focused on ensuring the separation of church and state challenged Wednesday the involvement of Texas Gov. Rick Perry in an upcoming evangelical Christian prayer rally.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is asking the Southern District Court of Texas in Houston to declare Perry's connection to a "Day of Prayer and Fasting" unconstitutional and stop any further participation on his part, the foundation said.
Perry's office says the governor still looks forward to the event.
"He believes it will serve as an important opportunity for Americans to gather together and pray to God," said Catherine Frazier, deputy press secretary of Perry's office. "The pending litigation does not affect plans for the prayer event to move forward as planned."
Perry asked that other governors make a similar proclamation and invite their constituents to join in the day, according to the announcement of the rally.
The lawsuit claims that the event sends a message that nonbelievers are "political outsiders" and that Perry's actions violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits the government from making any law that favors one religion over another.
The foundation charges in its statement that Perry's connection to the event gives official recognition to a devotional event and tries to encourage people to pray and non-Christians to convert to Christianity.
The Madison, Wisconsin-based foundation calls itself the nation's largest atheist/agnostic membership group.
In June, Perry made the proclamation that August 6 would be a "Day of Prayer and Fasting for Our Nation to seek God's guidance and wisdom in addressing the challenges that face our communities, states and nation."
The meeting, hosted by the American Family Association at Reliant Stadium in Houston, will be "a non-denominational, apolitical, Christian prayer meeting," the governor's announcement said.
According to its website, the American Family Association's mission is to "inform, equip, and activate individuals to strengthen the moral foundations of American culture, and give aid to the church here and abroad."
This guy sounds like an idiot. Anyone who thinks that an all powerful being is talking to them is simply idiotic. When kids have imaginary friends it is cute but when adults say voices are talking to them in their head they are called crazy. Unless of course you call this voice God.
@ Q you are correct, but I did say that I was not qouteing, I was paraphrasing because I couldn't remember the exact words. And perhaps I didn't do a very good job, but anyway, my thoughts were the same.
@ Q you are correct, but I did say that I was not qouting, I was para phasing because I couldn't remember the exact words. And perhaps I didn't do a very good job, but anyway, I think thoughts were the same.
@ Odessa Odessa, I can tell you are a very good person, but what the consitution says (in my words, not qouted) that the government shall not establish a church, nor shall it make any laws concerning any denominational church. But, you are right this is a very immoral country and some day will be payday.
The relevant text of the 1st amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."
It does not say anything about a church or denominations, rather, refers to "religion" in its most general sense. Nor does "establishment" refer to a physical structure, but rather, the broader concept of any act in furtherance.
Q...Thank you. Finally, someone who actually reads the Consti-tution and doesn't just spout off emotional nonsense.
@David Johnson. Tell us, just how do unmarried women and teenage girls get pregnate. Be honest! And what does that have to do with religion? Tell us, just what mind enhanceing qualities are there in p_ornography? Besides, what does that have to do with relgion? I to do not think we should have prayer in public schools, but I can tell you for sure: schools were a lot better when it was allowed. A lot of the things you mention is about moral character, not just religion, and moral character has a lot to say what kind of country we are. The morality of this country hasn't hit bottom yet, but it is headed that way at a very fast pace with little to stop it. But, maybe that is the kind of country you want to live in! If that is not the kind of country you want to live in, what mesures do you think should be taken to improve it?
Put a sock in it Atheists. And your fear mongering about Christian Theocracy won't do anything and is simply not true.
REALLY Chris? Here's a link to those speaking at the "prayer rally" and "their" thoughts. And we want people like this running the country? No, I don't think so. While I refer to these types of Christians as the American Taliban, after listening and watching this, there's no doubt why they are referred to as such. To close ones eyes to such only make one a fool. To allow such to run the country only leads to a dead fool. I really wish CNN would add this to their BELIEF BLOG so people could honestly see what some of these people think, talk about and believe!
Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26"‹315908/#43734392
America is wasting horrendous amount of time, finance, talents and energy on the most trivial thing. The reason they were never able to build up a base on the moon or send dogs to Mars or defeat the Chinese fleet on the Pacific.
Separation of church and state in present America = Separation of everything good and morally right from the State, Separation of the human conscience from the State Founding Fathers had no idea how evil and immoral and blasphemous some Americans would become on the American soil.
Many of the founders were themselves "blasphemous". For example, Jefferson regarding the illogical nature of the Trinity: "...In fact, the Athanasian paradox that one is three, and three but one, is so incomprehensible to the human mind, that no candid man can say he has any idea of it, and how can he believe what presents no idea? He who thinks he does, only deceives himself. He proves, also, that man, once surrendering his reason, has no remaining guard against absurdities the most monstrous, and like a ship without a rudder, is the sport of every wind. With such persons, gullibility which they call faith, takes the helm from the hand of reason, and the mind becomes a wreck."
Furthermore, they believed no idea was beyond criticism as clearly illustrated in the Free Speech Clause of the 1st amendment. Claims of blasphemy are truly the most cowardly expression of one's faith.
@Odessa, Really? You should hear what the "people" speaking think about the country, religious beliefs and why "they" should run things. NO, I don't want their type in control of the Government or people any more than I want the Taliban running things. They are two different sides of the same coin!
Because the words "seperation of church and state" is not found in the consitution, how is it defined? Please, someone answer.
There was an article on this not too long ago. It is beautiful! Far more precious than any bible.
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/04/my-take-why-the-u-s-is-not-a-christian-nation/
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