National Day of Prayer

On April 15th, U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb decided that the National Day of Prayer mandated by federal law since 1952, is unconstitutional because it amounts to a government call for religious action. In a historic 66 page ruling, Judge Crabb wrote that the government can no more enact laws supporting a day of prayer than it can encourage citizens to fast during Ramadan, attend a synagogue or practice magic.

"In fact," she wrote, "it is because the nature of prayer is so personal and can have such a powerful effect on a community that the government may not use its authority to try to influence an individual's decision whether and when to pray."

Judge Crabb noted that her ruling was not a judgement on the value of prayer. She wrote that government involvement in prayer may be constitutional if the conduct serves a "significant secular purpose" and doesn't amount to a call for religious action, but that the National Day of Prayer crosses that line. Crabb also wrote that her ruling shouldn't be considered a bar to any prayer days until all appeals are exhausted.

US Justice Department attorneys representing the government are reviewing the ruling but Obama administration spokesman Matt Lehrich has already indicated what the White House's position will be. In an email, Lehrich told the Associated Press that the president still plans to issue a proclamation for the next prayer day. "As he did last year," Lehrich wrote, "President Obama intends to recognize a National Day of Prayer."

The lawsuit against the federal government was filed by the Wisconsin-based Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) in 2008. Besides the Foundation, plaintiffs were Anne Nicol Gaylor, Annie Laurie Gaylor, Dan Barker, Paul Gaylor, Phyllis Rose and Jill Dean, who are all Foundation officers or board members. Defendants are President Barack Obama and Robert Gibbs, his press secretary. Original defendants were President George Bush and Dana Perino, his press secretary at the time.

Dan Barker, Foundation co-president, said: "It's nice to see that the judge agrees with us the government should be neutral about religion and should not be taking sides — which is an issue of fairness."

Annie Laurie Gaylor said she was "euphoric" over the decision. "It is such a profound violation of conscience for Congress to direct our president to tell all citizens to pray, and that they in fact must set aside an entire day for prayer once a year. We are so gratified and delighted that Judge Crabb in her solid decision rejected revisionist history and decided this case on the merits."

I have an even better idea. Rather than decide the case on the merits, it can be decided by the evidence. Why let something be decided by faith when we can collect the evidence to support or reject a proposition. This will give Christians an answer to the secular population who claim that Christian belief in prayer is arrogant because "believers" actually think prayer accomplishes something.

Here is my proposal.

On National Prayer Day, Thursday, May 6th, 2010 all believers should pray for my nephew's finger to grow back to its normal state. He lost it in a farm accident. This is not an unreasonable request. The Christian bible clearly states:

John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it. And again Matt: 18:19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven."

My nephew is a good citizen. He pays his taxes, raised two highly intelligent daughters and a son who also have jobs and pay taxes. He has never been in trouble with the authorities. Unlike the head of Goldman Sachs, he doesn't claim to do God's work; he only wants his finger back. His first name is Elmer. Those praying for him to regrow his finger don't need his last name (though I would provide it if you insist) because God already knows what his last name is. God is also aware of his address so there is no likelihood he will choose the wrong Elmer who ends up with a finger twice as long.

If not just two, but two million believers pray for the finger to regrow, think what a blow that will strike for Christianity. And we already know God is capable of granting the request because he created salamanders and they can do it. Yep, you heard that right. You whack off a salamander's limb (or tail) and it will grow a brand new one. So it's not like God didn't have any experience with this. He already had the blue print. Therefore we must ask ourselves, "If God gave that gift to a slimy salamander, just hours before he created us, why would he deny the same to a believer?"

I will give my nephew a heads-up on this. I'll ask him to pay special attention to what was once his ring finger on his right hand. It it starts feeling kinda itchy and funny on or shortly after National Prayer day, keep a close eye on it. As soon as the growth is complete with a fingernail, let me know.

I will fall on my knees and ask God to forgive me for the audacity of demanding evidence when only faith was required.