National Prayer Day Unconstitutional? (Congress, legal, Christmas, holidays)
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Being a practicing christian I believe the Government should stay as secular as possible. I don't want someday to be told how, where, when or what to pray about.
Is Obama's proclamation unconstitutional? U.S District Judge Barbara Crabb from Wisconsin has ruled against the day of prayer. What say you?
There are NO national holidays designated by the Federal Government. Not even Christmas or the Fourth of July. It is fairly common, I think, for some dickwad to present a bill to congress recognizing almost every day or week or month as National Something, which always passes unanimously, and I guess there's nothing wrong with the president doing it, too.
The eleven days that are designated by the federal government as holidays govern only days off work that federal workers are entitled to. Nothing else is implied by a federal holiday.
There are NO national holidays designated by the Federal Government. Not even Christmas or the Fourth of July. It is fairly common, I think, for some dickwad to present a bill to congress recognizing almost every day or week or month as National Something, which always passes unanimously, and I guess there's nothing wrong with the president doing it, too.
The eleven days that are designated by the federal government as holidays govern only days off work that federal workers are entitled to. Nothing else is implied by a federal holiday.
Ok I'm missing your point. No sarcasm needed! How does your post apply to the President's proclamation a National Day of Prayer. Should we not be concerned that the President is telling the people that he governs though the powers of the Constitution that a particular day be observed as a day to pray?
I applaud the President's action. Every once in a while, it's necessary to yank on the chains of the religion-haters and remind them that religious faith has an important role to play in the national conversation.
I applaud the President's action. Every once in a while, it's necessary to yank on the chains of the religion-haters and remind them that religious faith has an important role to play in the national conversation.
Well, ok can't that be accomplished through the people we elect? Look at all the other arguments against religion and government being in bed together. I am a devout Christian. However, I don't want my President proclamating religious beliefs. Prayer is religious belief in communication with a higher deity.
Well, ok can't that be accomplished through the people we elect? Look at all the other arguments against religion and government being in bed together. I am a devout Christian. However, I don't want my President proclamating religious beliefs. Prayer is religious belief in communication with a higher deity.
But it is not specific to any particular faith.
Christians pray, Muslims pray, Jews pray... I believe Japanese people pray to their ancestors. I don't know where this would be unconstitutional, at least not per the 1st Amendment, as it is not "respecting any establishment of religion."
I could see a 10th Amendment argument against it, as I don't believe there is a specific authority given to the federal government to create such a day. But since it is not a binding law (there is no obligation on any of the citizenry), I don't even know why the courts would waste their time hearing the case. Who would have even had standing to sue?
But it is not specific to any particular faith.
Christians pray, Muslims pray, Jews pray... I believe Japanese people pray to their ancestors. I don't know where this would be unconstitutional, at least not per the 1st Amendment, as it is not "respecting any establishment of religion."
I could see a 10th Amendment argument against it, as I don't believe there is a specific authority given to the federal government to create such a day. But since it is not a binding law (there is no obligation on any of the citizenry), I don't even know why the courts would waste their time hearing the case. Who would have even had standing to sue?
Presidential Proclamations are technically laws. They carry legal weight. The President uses delegated unilateral powers as the basis for the Proclamation. Same as Executive Orders.
Well, ok can't that be accomplished through the people we elect? Look at all the other arguments against religion and government being in bed together. I am a devout Christian. However, I don't want my President proclamating religious beliefs. Prayer is religious belief in communication with a higher deity.
Let fools bray as they wish. Their complaints affect our Constitution not one iota.
It is absurd to deny the President the right to proclaim his religious beliefs, while all other citizens are permitted to do so.
Asking people to observe a day of prayer is in no way a "law." Besides, prayer is a form of religious meditation often characterized by silence. That alone makes it a worthwhile activity.
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