Thaindian News

April 22, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): Legal representatives with the Christian legal firm, Alliance Defense Fund (ADF), have advocated that US President Barack Obama launch an appeal against the recent judgment of a federal judge, who adjudicated that the National Prayer Day (NPD) is unconstitutional.

The ADF attorneys executed their petition after American District Judge, Barbara Crabb, nullified a federal decree that had procreated the ‘National Day of Prayer’. In line with Crabb, the decree signifies the backing and approval of a specific religious exercise.

Nonetheless, ADF’s Senior Legal Counsel, Joel Oster, has contended that the national prayer day is a component of America’s inheritance and belongs to Americans. He declared that the National Day of Prayer supplies a chance for all Americans to pray willingly in keeping with their own faith. The day does not endorse any particular religion or type of religious ceremony.

NPD was generated in 1952 by a united declaration of the United States Congress and was formalized into a decree by the then American President Harry S. Truman. Although it has been observed annually since then, a court case against NPD was launched in October 2008 by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF).

The FFRF is a Wisconsin outfit that was established in 1976. It has vowed to sponsor the idea of the severance of the church from the state, and to instruct the public about ‘nontheism’.

The Rev. Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has commended Judge Crabb’s verdict. Lynn has verbalized that this verdict is a fantastic triumph for religious independence. Congress has no right to inform the Americans when or how to pray.

Lynn further vocalized that the American Constitution expressly prohibits the American government from interfering in religious stuff. Resolutions about reverence should be created by people without instructions from chosen officials.

Ever since 1952, American presidents have always adhered to an annual National Day of Prayer. Since 1988, the presidents have always selected the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer.

In the previous year, President Obama released an announcement that selected the first Thursday of May as the National Day of Prayer. In spite of the present verdict, Obama still plans to identify the day this year on May 6.

Shirley Dobson is the chairperson of the National Day of Prayer Task Force. She has elucidated that it is necessary now more than ever before to pray. Dobson has arranged thousands of local prayer events throughout America.