Atheists, Religious Groups Lobby On Day Of Prayer

April 24, 2010

Author: Todd Richmond

Source: Google News

Wire Service: AP

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hWiD9zVD5IijUKfLEQzg-1jMWLTAD9F911PG0

To pray or not to pray? That's the issue government leaders across the country are facing after a federal judge ruled that the National Day of Prayer set for May 6 was unconstitutional.

The ruling can't take effect until all appeals are exhausted, but that's not stopping atheists and prayer advocates from firing off letters, e-mails and even planning to put up billboards to co nvince state and local leaders across the country to see things their way.

Nothing's changing in Topeka, Kan., says Mayor Bill Bunten.

"Some of these judges have lost their way," Bunten said. "Every day is a day of prayer in most Kansas lives, whether they are Christian or Muslim or Jewish or whatever, and to say that a prayer day is illegal is just ridiculous. That judge better go back and read some history about how this country was formed. Next thing you know we won't be able to sing 'God Bless America.'"

The ruling raised a furor among religious advocacy groups, who say the day has become an American tradition. And the announcement this week by President Barack Obama's administration that it would appeal galvanized atheists, who are trying to persuade officials not to attend local events. Their campaigns illustrate the persistent tensions over any combination of religion and government.