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TN native/Navy chaplain leads Sailors and Marines in prayer during a contemporary Christian service in the forecastle of USS Ronald Reagan

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TN native/Navy chaplain leads Sailors and Marines in prayer during a contemporary Christian service in the forecastle of USS Ronald Reagan
Freedom of Religion
Image by Official U.S. Navy Imagery
ARABIAN SEA (July 10, 2011) Cmdr. Darrel Wesley, from Chattanooga, Tenn., command chaplain aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), leads Sailors and Marines in prayer during a contemporary Christian service in the forecastle of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting close-air support missions as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alexander Tidd/Released) 110710-N-UO379-183

Freedom to Unbelieve
Freedom of Religion
Image by thaths
I am at a state government office in mysore waiting for a powerful bureaucrat to come back from his meeting with his superiors. He ordered us to be here at 11. It is 12:30. No sign of him amid the busy bodies bustling about the place, doing what, i cannot fathom. I dare not step out in the fear that the bureaucrat will swing by his office on his way to a leisurely lunch while i am away sipping tea. Then i’d have to wait for hours on end. A couple of self important peons are curious to find out who we are. We give intentionally vague replies sadistically denying them what they feed on and trade in – information.

Glancing around the office i am struck by just how much religion – especially hinduism – is intermingled with office life in india. There is a peepal tree with a small shrine in the compound of this place. And every surface i see has a smear of these triple tracks of holy ash considered auspicious to shiva. I know that india is not a talibanized theocrazy (much to the regret of the khaki shorts) yet, Religion is so intertwined with everyday life. People like the conservative Right, i am sure, points to India as some place where morals and religion are a way of life. Only someone who has stepped foot in a government office in india will know how wrong they are.

As an atheist i offended by the overt displays of religion in government offices. I do not care in front of which stone someone prays at home. I do care when my tax rupees are subsidizing someone elses superstitions. I wonder if the separation of church and state promised in the constitution is ever actually practiced.

Posted on September 20, 2011 by admin, Reply

National Day of Prayer is on

National Day of Prayer is on
After a panel of three judges overturned a federal district judge’s ruling, the National Day of Prayer celebration is back on.
Read more on Park Hills Daily Journal

Islam’s position is being threatened, says Muslim NGO
The Coalition of Muslim Organisations (Pembela) has claimed that the position of Islam in Malaysia is under siege. Speaking to reporters today, spokesperson Yusri Mohamad said this is particularly in relation to recent developments in Islam-Christian affairs. Specifically, he cited the designation of a non-Muslim affairs exco in Penang and the ‘pseudo-appointment’ of Christian Minister in the …
Read more on Malaysia Chronicle

Posted on May 5, 2011 by admin, Reply

National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional (Part 2 of 2)

The second part of my look at the recent decision that declared the federal law establishing the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. Links: 1. Freedom from Religion Foundation, et al. v. Obama and Gibbs www.wiwd.uscourts.gov 2. Lemon v. Kurtzman scholar.google.com 3. Christian activist Tony Perkins talking about the National Day of Prayer (from JesusSavesAtCitibanks channel here on YouTube) www.youtube.com 4. Engel v. Vitale scholar.google.com 5. Marsh v. Chambers scholar.google.com 6. Walz v. Tax Commission of the City of New York scholar.google.com 7. Part 1 of this video www.youtube.com 8. For a classic example of the ignorance of constitutional law that “informs” opposition to this ruling, have a look at the following video by a YouTuber who calls himself TheMoralNation: www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell and leading American atheist and co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, Dan Barker debate the topic, ‘Without God we are nothing’. The debate was a joint venture between two student groups, the recently-established Macquarie University Atheist League and the Catholic Society of Saint Dominic at the University. The debate took place in March 11, 2010

Posted on March 28, 2011 by admin, 50 comments

National Day of Prayer Unconstitutional (Part 1 of 2)

A look at the recent decision that declared the federal law establish the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. NB: Sorry about my mistakenly listing 1956 as the date the Pledge of Allegiance was amended. A stupid error. Links: 1. Freedom from Religion Foundation, et al. v. Obama and Gibbs www.wiwd.uscourts.gov 2. The National Day of Prayer Task Forces website nationaldayofprayer.org 3. Federalist #78 www.constitution.org 4. Lemon v. Kurtzman scholar.google.com 5. Part 2 of this video www.youtube.com 6. For a classic example of the ignorance of constitutional law that “informs” opposition to this ruling, have a look at the following video by a YouTuber who calls himself TheMoralNation: www.youtube.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

Posted on March 25, 2011 by admin, 25 comments

ADF Attorneys Seek to Dismiss Lawsuit Against National Day of Prayer

Madison, WI (PRWEB) March 13, 2009

Alliance Defense Fund attorneys asked a federal court Monday to throw out a lawsuit that claims government-issued proclamations which call on citizens to pray are unconstitutional. The motion to dismiss — the second filed by ADF attorneys — comes in response to an amended complaint filed in the lawsuit by the Freedom From Religion Foundation.

“Prayer proclamations are a long-established and cherished American tradition going back to the Founding Fathers,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Joel Oster. “This is simply a ridiculous lawsuit and an example of one radical organization’s allergic reaction to anything involving God.”

The Freedom From Religion Foundation filed its suit against a number of government officials, including now-former President George W. Bush and Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle. The suit also names National Day of Prayer Task Force Chairperson Shirley Dobson, who is being represented by ADF attorneys.

Last year, ADF attorneys sent an information letter to nearly 1,200 of America’s largest cities, advising them of their constitutional right to religious freedom and to recognize and participate in the National Day of Prayer.

The 58th National Day of Prayer, which occurs May 7, offers an opportunity for thousands of Americans to exercise their religious rights and unite in prayer for the country at a variety of events nationwide. In 1775, the Continental Congress called upon people to pray for God’s wisdom in forming a nation. In 1952, President Harry S. Truman established an annual National Day of Prayer via a joint resolution of Congress. The law was amended in 1988 to set the day as the first Thursday of May.

Those wishing to support the effort to defend the National Day of Prayer and protect their First Amendment right to religious liberty can visit http://www.savethendop.org .

Motion to dismiss filed in Freedom From Religion Foundation v. Obama with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (Case No. 08-CV-588).

ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.

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Posted on March 3, 2011 by admin, Reply

Prayer at PeeWee football games contentious issue in Vernon

Prayer at PeeWee football games contentious issue in Vernon
The age-old seperation of church-and-state argument has surfaced again here in the panhandle. Vernon’s city council meeting was packed Monday night with people upset over a complaint about prayer at PeeWee football games.

Woodruff Outlines Prayer Policy

Woodruff Outlines Prayer Policy
At issue is whether practice violates the constitutional separation of church and state and includes all faiths

LETTER TO EDITOR: National Day of Prayer is a freedom of religion issue

LETTER TO EDITOR: National Day of Prayer is a freedom of religion issue
I am a sophomore in high school and I can already tell that our government is screwed up. In our nation one of our many rights is the right to freedom of religion.

Liberty Walk