Is the National Day of Prayer Constitutional?

In the Newsweek article The Religious Case for Church-State Separation published on April 23, 2010 by Jon Meacham, the question of separation of church and state is discussed.

On April 15, 2010, a Wisconsin federal judge ruled that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional. His ruling sparked different opinions on the ongoing issue of the separation of church and state. Sarah Palin and Franklin Graham both oppose the ruling as well as Obama. One of Governor Palin's arguments is that the Founding Fathers were believers. But the author sites the fact that the Founding Fathers believed in a country that separated church and state. This idea even extends back to biblical times. In the New Testament, Jesus "withdrew and hid" after the crowds wanted to make him king.

The significance of the Wisconsin judge's ruling is the question of constitutionality. The Establishment Clause from the Constitution, prohibits the establishment of a national religion or a preference of one religion over another. The National Day of Prayer is a generic day for all people of any faith to pray, but it still crosses the line of separation of church and state. This day gives a preference to people who believe in a faith over people who do not. There can still be a Day of Prayer but not associated with the United States as a whole.

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Posted by: Alex Kelly and Sarah Lapotin

"National Day of Prayer goes on despite ruling."

In this CNN article, the National Day of Prayer, (May 6, 2010) which was a bill signed into law in 1952 by President Truman, is becoming controversial as a U.S. District Judge stated it violated the constitution. U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb believes that having a National Day of Prayer violates the constitutions ban on the governments support of religion. The case is being appealed on behalf of the White House by the Department of Justice. Until all the appeals have been exhausted, there will be no action taken against the National Day of Prayer. Shirley Dobson, the organizer of the event, believes that a small group of people are attempting to get rid of a day which is viewed by her as a "magnificent day". Dobson's husband, James Dobson, is one of the most powerful conservative Christian leaders in the country. Obama has explained that despite Crabb's claim, the National Day of Prayer will continue this year, however he will not be participating in any specific events and believes it is the citizen's job to pray for the success of our country. Last year the public participation of the White House in the event was decreased. The decision on this case did not affect the National Day of Prayer this year, however next year it could change the event completley depending on the ruling.

The issue Crabb expresses with the National Day of Prayer, is that it violates the seperation of church and state and is unconstitutional. Although the government does not state how citizens should pray, Crabb believes that the government is pushing towards certain religions and is violating citizens civil rights and liberties, such as freedom of religion.

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L.Ambrose and S.Hatcher