Don’t blame Obama – National Day of Prayer is Unconstitutional | Chocolate City: The Best African American Blog

Don’t blame Obama – National Day of Prayer is Unconstitutional

By: Charles S. Mombo

- National Day of Prayer is Unconstitutional

I can almost predict that on May 6, 2010, President Obama will not issue a proclamation for the National Day of Prayer; nor would he interrupt his busy schedule to meet with religious leaders to hold an event at the White House.

My prediction is based on the fact that last year, the president did not observe the National Day of Prayer – at least not in public. I vividly recalled President Obama's Press Secretary, Robert Gibbs saying, “President Obama would issue the proclamation but would not meet with religious leaders or hold any National Day of Prayer events at the White House.” Gibbs also added, “The President would mark the National Day of Prayer in private as he does every day.”

The president's decision last year, while not surprising, drew criticism from the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a group that promotes prayer events around the country including some Republicans. This year, I expect to hear criticism not only from those of last year but also from the “Disillusion Republicans” or the Tea Party as they referred to themselves.

Yes, Obama's predecessor from Crawford, Texas always met with various religious leaders and attended functions related to the National Day of Prayer while dropping bombs on innocent foreign children. Well, Obama knows the constitution. The guy from Crawford, Texas was not knowledgeable about the U.S. Constitution.

Talking about the constitutionality of National Day of Prayer; controversies over the National Day of Prayer has been ongoing for some time now. A group called Freedom from Religion Foundation had taken their case to a Wisconsin court with the goal of abolishing the observance of the day. They claim that the National Day of Prayer violates the separation of church and state. The Wisconsin-based group is a self-described atheists and agnostics.

Check this out; yesterday, April 15, 2010, a U.S. District Judge in Wisconsin, Judge Barbara Crabb said the holiday violates the "establishment clause" of the First Amendment, which creates a separation of church and state. In her 66-page opinion, she noted, "I understand that many may disagree with that conclusion and some may even view it as a criticism of prayer or those who pray." Crabb also added, "That is unfortunate. A determination that the government may not endorse a religious message is not a determination that the message itself is harmful, unimportant or undeserving of dissemination." Judge Crabb further noted that her ruling is based on "relevant case law," and it does not prevent religious groups from organizing prayer services or prevent the President from discussing his views on prayer. "The only issue decided in this case is that the federal government may not endorse prayer in a statute," she added.

In 1952, congress established the National Day of Prayer; in 1988 they set aside the first Thursday in May as the day when it would be observed. Tradition has been for the President to make a proclamation asking the Americans people to pray on that day. This year, it definitely might not happen.

With his political astuteness, it will not surprise me if the Obama administration appeals Judge Crabb's decision. Even if the Obama administration does not appeal Judge Crabb's ruling, you don't need Obama’s endorsement to gather and pray to your God.

In his 1802 letter to the Danbury Baptists, Thomas Jefferson referred to the First Amendment of the United States Constitution as creating a "wall of separation" between church and state. Religious groups should not being hypocritical in attempting to bring the “wall of separation” down when it appears to benefit their selfish interest.