Atheist Group Sues Bush Over National Prayer Day

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Posted: 11:13 AM Oct 4, 2008
Last Updated: 11:13 AM Oct 4, 2008
Reporter: Associated Press

11 comments

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President Bush is being sued over the National Day of Prayer.

A group called the Freedom From Religion Foundation filed suit in federal court in Madison, Wisconsin. The litigation contends that proclamations calling on Americans to pray violate the constitutional ban on government endorsement of religion.

The foundation represents the largest group of atheists and agnostics in the nation. The suit says the designation of the first Thursday in May as a national day of prayer creates a "hostile environment for nonbelievers." It also says they're made to feel like political outsiders.

The Supreme Court has rejected previous lawsuits by the group, including one last year that challenged President Bush's faith-based initiative.

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Posted by: Kylene Location: Denver, CO on Oct 15, 2008 at 09:37 AM
Atheists are anti-religion. They (in general) attack Christianity more because it is a major religion that has lasted thru many attacks, because it is true and because it has a lot of evidence to back it up. for example, Mount. Saint Helen. It did the same thing a matter of hours that evolutionists say took millions to billions of years.

Posted by: Jeff Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 6, 2008 at 09:39 PM
First, this lawsuit is being based on something that is not in the constitution. The statement about a separation is from a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote in the early 1800s. This statement say NOTHING about a total ban on any public religious expression (including Christianity) that is widely believed today. Second, Abraham Lincoln is the one who established a national day of prayer on Thursday April 30, 1863.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: c springs on Oct 6, 2008 at 08:15 PM
Technically, under the ideal of separation of church and state, I really don't think that the government (federal or state) can in any way endorse anything involving any sort of religion. Understand that atheists and agnostics are not "anti-christian." I think that it appears that way because there are no "national day of buddah" or anything like that. The unfortunate issue here is that many Christians (not all of them) believe that their way is the only way. If I only had a dollar for every single time I have had a bible shoved in my face for some reason or another. And frankly, I think people should believe however they want, Christian or otherwise. But no one has the right to push it in my face. Period. No one of any religion should feel ostracized by the government based on their religion. That is the point here. And atheists and agnostics are NOT satan worshippers. You guys are all taking this off of the deep end. If not God, then it must be the Devil? Please.

Posted by: Freddy Location: COL SPRINGS on Oct 6, 2008 at 01:40 PM
OH Brother were are thou, lol oh my GOD, come on you really think that (national day of prayer creates a "hostile environment for nonbelievers) OH I have an idea for the government pay these Numbnuts in brand new printed bills but delete the phrase “ In God We Trust” from every bill. And print them on regular paper with the face of SATAN on them and let’s see how many places will take their new found money. Get a life if you don’t believe in religion then way do you believe that it is out there to harm you and create a “hostile environment for nonbelievers”?

Posted by: Kay Location: Co Sprgs on Oct 6, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Guess we will need another Bailout to pay the Atheists now.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Colorado Springs on Oct 6, 2008 at 10:40 AM
And you wonder why our world is in such turmoil. People like this end up causing more problems and fueling more hatred amongst others. Sad, sad, sad.

Posted by: C Location: C/S on Oct 6, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Saph- it's probably not the lack of praying that cause "pathetic religious folks" to turn nasty. It just might be dealing with people like you. I can tell you're a joy to be around. It's fine that you don't like religion but you're showing your ignorance by calling names. Only children do that. Grow up.

Posted by: Sarah Location: C/S on Oct 6, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Oh brother! Dont these people have better things to do than mess with the Christians?! Next thing you know they will be complaining about Christmas and Easter! I hope the court laughs at them and throws them out. This is just ridiculous!

Posted by: Saph Location: Monument on Oct 5, 2008 at 11:33 AM
...national day of prayer creates a "hostile environment for nonbelievers." DUMB, DUMB, DUMB! Religion is for idiots...but really! Calling all atheists and agnostics: Get a grip! You don't want to pray? DON'T PRAY, but stop all the pathetic religious folks from getting their daily fix! They need it, without it they turn nasty.

Posted by: J Location: Pueblo on Oct 4, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Perhaps they would be satisfied if we made one day out of the year the official day of non-prayer and encouraged people not to pray that day? How very stupid! People can choose to pray or not pray any day of the year and having or not having a national day of prayer is not going to change that. I wish they'd find something useful to do rather than waste court time on such a trivial matter.

Posted by: Anonymous on Oct 4, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Are you serious? No one told these people they had to participate in the Day of Prayer. What about freedom of religion? These people need a hobby and need to leave the Christians ALONE!!!! We won't bother you, you don't bother us!

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