Group sues to stop Texas governor's prayer day

[NoGOPZone]

Source: Associated Press

A group of atheists and agnostics filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday seeking to stop an evangelical Christian prayer event next month that was proposed and is endorsed by Texas' governor.

The Freedom from Religion Foundation argues in its lawsuit filed in Houston that Republican Gov. Rick Perry's day of prayer and fasting would violate the constitutional ban on the government endorsing a religion. The event, which is called The Response and is billed as Christian-only, is scheduled for Aug. 6 at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

The complaint alleges Perry violated the First Amendment's establishment clause by organizing, promoting and participating in the event.

"The answers for America's problems won't be found on our knees or in heaven, but by using our brains, our reason and in compassionate action," said Dan Barker, a co-director of the foundation. "Gov. Perry's distasteful use of his civil office to plan and dictate a religious course of action to 'all citizens' is deeply offensive to many citizens, as well as to our secular form of government."



Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/group-sues-stop-texas-governors-prayer-day-210829379.html

[sakabatou]

1. I remember a teenager trying to do the same thing

The school prayer went on. She was harassed by students and possibly thrown out of her house. I don't know clearly about the details.

[alp227]

6. It was in Louisiana

his name is Damon Fowler

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2011/05/standard_small_town_saga.php

[sakabatou]

7. Yep

[RKP5637]

2. Yep, pray the debt away, pray the gay away, pray the evil away, pray the ... away. I wish

they'd pray themselves away. Religion and government do not mix. We have far too many examples of how well religion + government work.

[JAnthony]

12. LOL if prayer really worked I'd start praying today to pray

Governor Perry and his religious zealots away from my country's government!!

Not to wish ill to my adversaries, but I think people who want to be devoutly religious should be kept out of holding political office, and just stay devoutly religious..

My Prayer for America

[wilt the stilt]

3. hate to say this

but it just makes the "christians" martyrs and emboldens them.

[GillesDeleuze]

4. but sitting idly by while the Governor assumes pastor in chief

is really doing alot.

im with FFRF on this

[JAnthony]

13. When lawbreakers are martyrs... we have abandoned a judicial system in...

favor of gang mentality.

Over 55% of Americans do NOT want religion to be governing America, that figure was 100% at the time of the writing of the Constitution.

[kestrel91316]

5. If Perry wants to do this on his OWN time, using only his OWN

personal resources, fine with me.

Using his power and position as governor to issue proclamations to claim essentially that only fundiegelicalism can solve the nation's problems is over the top. Especially if ANY taxpayer resources whatsoever were used to endorse a particular sect of a particular religion in this way.

[and-justice-for-all]

8. Good!! nt

[sasquuatch55]

9. I pray to squirrels and I get the same percentage answered as those that pray to God! nt

nt

[trof]

15. OK, but do they bring you acorns?

:-)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

10. Pssst, Perry. It appears God is not pleased with you already.

All this pandering to the religious right doesn't seem to be making things any better.

Rick Perry Asks Texans to Pray for Rain

Texas is in the grip of historic wildfires that have destroyed nearly 1.8 million acres of forest and grassland in the state as well as 400 homes. The almost 8,000 fires so far this year are unprecedented, which last weekend prompted Gov. Rick Perry to call upon the national government for assistance. Now Perry is calling upon the Man Upstairs for help.

Perry issued a proclamation on Thursday declaring the next 72 hours the "Days of Prayer for Rain in Texas," asking residents to appeal to whatever higher power they prefer for help.

More: http://motherjones.com/mojo/2011/04/rick-perry-asks-texans-pray-rain

Gov. Perry Issues Proclamation for Days of Prayer for Rain in Texas

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME:

WHEREAS, the state of Texas is in the midst of an exceptional drought, with some parts of the state receiving no significant rainfall for almost three months, matching rainfall deficit records dating back to the 1930s; and

WHEREAS, a combination of higher than normal temperatures, low precipitation and low relative humidity has caused an extreme fire danger over most of the State, sparking more than 8,000 wildfires which have cost several lives, engulfed more than 1.8 million acres of land and destroyed almost 400 homes, causing me to issue an ongoing disaster declaration since December of last year; and

WHEREAS, these dire conditions have caused agricultural crops to fail, lake and reservoir levels to fall and cattle and livestock to struggle under intense stress, imposing a tremendous financial and emotional toll on our land and our people; and

WHEREAS, throughout our history, both as a state and as individuals, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; it seems right and fitting that the people of Texas should join together in prayer to humbly seek an end to this devastating drought and these dangerous wildfires;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, RICK PERRY, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and traditions to offer prayers on those days for the healing of our land, the rebuilding of our communities and the restoration of our normal way of life.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and have officially caused the Seal of State to be affixed at my Office in the City of Austin, Texas, this the 21st day of April, 2011.

RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/proclamation/16038/

The results?

For Texas Policymakers, Drought Exposes Limits of Power

The Texas drought has escalated into a significant natural disaster. Around the Panhandle, normally one of the most agriculturally productive regions of the state, acres of dry dirt fill would-be croplands. Lakes' levels are falling statewide. Cities are tightening water restrictions, amid the driest October-through-June stretch in Texas history.
http://www.texastribune.org/texas-environmental-news/water-supply/texas-policymakers-drought-exposes-limits-power/

Drought in central US deepens — and widens
'Things look like they will get worse before they get better,' Texas official says

In the throes of its third worst drought on record, Texas has been the hardest hit state. The weather forecast promised little relief, with below normal precipitation expected across the southern Plains for at least the next two weeks.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43758973/ns/weather/

Do yourself, and all the rest of us here a favor, put a cork in it. Please, before you bring a plague of locust, or worse, on us next.

[creeker]

14. Yes We had this CRAP in Ga.--

Gov sonny perdue(R) had a "day of prayer" to end the drought a few years ago-- It rained about 70 days later and the bible bangers claimed a miracle! you can't win against these fanatics because they will always claim victory no matter what the ciruminisantice---------------peace out

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[creeker]

16. also VERY true--the ignorant have a right to their opinion

[trof]

17. Too bad.

Tapes would make for great opposition TV ads.