Day of Prayer Unconstitutional

A Federal district court in Wisconsin has issued a ruling in a suit brought by the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation that strikes down as unconstitutional a federal law mandating a National Day of Prayer.

It violates the separation of church and state, Judge Barbara Crabb said in a decision handed down yesterday:

... the sole purpose of the federal law "is to encourage all citizens to engage in prayer, an inherently religious exercise that serves no secular function in this context. In this instance, the government has taken sides on a matter that must be left to individual conscience."

And Barry Lynn, the Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said:

"This decision is a tremendous victory for religious liberty. Congress has no business telling Americans when or how to pray. The Constitution forbids the government to meddle in religious matters,” Lynn continued. "Decisions about worship should be made by individuals without direction from elected officials. That’s what freedom is all about."

I had just about given up on being able to do anything about the National Day of Prayer. What a great gift has been handed to me and the rest of the "separation community".

Now watch the Religious Right and the Tea Bagging Über Patriots throw the ape shit against the fan over this one...