Happy National Day of Prayer - Will it Last?

  National Day of Prayer has been a federally-recognized tradition since 1952.
Over half a century, on the first Thursday of May, the President of the United States has asked citizens to pray for the country and give thanks.

Last month a U.S. District Judge in Wisconsin declared the event unconstitutional. 

Judge Barbara Crabb wrote, 

"It goes beyond mere 'acknowledgment' of religion because its sole purpose is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function in this context," 

and thus violates the First Amendment's establishment clause banning the creation of a "law respecting an establishment of religion" in the Constitution.

 The Justice Department has appealed and Judge Crabb allowed this year's National Day of Prayer to continue as planned during the appeals process. 

If unsuccessful, this year's event may be the last of this 58-year long tradition.

I know many of my peers do not keep up with current events.

If you have not noticed, religious practices and religious-related are symbols have been under attack. It seems in this historically Christian nation, non-religious advocates are becoming emboldened to purge communal spaces of anything "religious".

The prosecution in this case was the Freedom From Religion Foundation, advertised as the largest freethought association in North America. Private days of prayer are not objected, but federal support of such a day would make it seem the government is forcing religion onto unbelievers. 

The debate between church and state appears to be teetering back and forth. To accuse of an underlying religious intent is a serious accusation.

Mojave Desert cross on Sunset Rock
Source: justice.gov

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled lower courts went too far when ordering the dismantling of a cross on public land honoring World War I soldiers. The cross in the Mojave Desert had been there for 70 years. Though using differing rationales, Justice Anthony Kennedy identified the main consensus to be- although the cross is a Christian symbol, the intention was not to send a Christian message, and "those who erected the cross intended simply to honor our nation's fallen soldiers." "The goal of avoiding governmental endorsement [of religion] does not require eradication of all religious symbols in the public realm." This case had been taken all the way to the nation's highest court.

 Arlington National Cemetary
They have different emblems for different religions. Here.
Atheist, rationalist, secularist, skeptic, laique, ethical cultural, freethought and similar individuals fall under Humanist.

Had the decision been different, would all the crosses in all government-funded memorials and cemeteries have to be removed? Ruling out religious intent, the case goes back to lower courts as others try to ensure other religions are ensured equal treatment. Park Services had previously refused to allow a Buddhist shrine be erected in the Mojave Desert. I think the non-religious community is interesting in that it seems the most outspoken groups are those who are anti-religion and attack anything that may have religious implication while others preach tolerance and whatever you believe can be true for you.

My opinion is that Christians have had it relatively easy in this country. The practice of Christianity in the United States does not immediately conjure up the fear of persecution, torture or out-casting commonplace in other societies. Even non-Christians can wear crosses as a fashion item or step into a church for a funeral or wedding or social event without having to really make a decision about what they believe. If the government does side with the anti-religion sect, yes it may take away longstanding traditions but there is nothing fear, we should never - Christians have fared far worse treatment in history and yet have managed to thrive.

Apostle Paul actually saw persecution as something to be expected, even a good thing.

³⁵Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?  
³⁶As it is written:
   "For your sake we face death all day long;
      we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
Romans 8:35-36


  ³We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. ⁴Therefore, among God's churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.  ⁵All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
2 Thessalonians 1:3-5


³²Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. ³³Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. ³⁴You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions.  ³⁵So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
Hebrews 10:32-35

 

I guess this is just one more thing to pray about.