Should the government declare a national day of prayer?
Today is the National Day of Prayer; it’s an official observance from Congress, and has been around since 1952. This year’s event, however, could be the last time the federal government remains officially involved. Last month a federal district court judge ruled that the government’s involvement in the day violated the Constitution, by conflating church and state. Should we have a National Day of Prayer?
Annie Laurie Gaylor, the co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation, is a co-plaintiff in the suit that challenges the constitutionality of this day. She says it effectively mandates a religious action on Americans who want nothing to do with religion. Dr. Joel Hunter, pastor of the Northland Church in Florida and religious advisor to President Obama, says the history of religion’s presence in the public sphere is long and the day reflects that history.
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