The Federal Court Review Of The National Day Of Prayer
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America is an intensely religious nation and this is reflected in the annual national day of prayer, which is held on the first Thursday in May. On this day, people of all faiths are asked to acknowledge God's presence in their lives and spend time in prayer. Its future is uncertain, however, as its legality is currently being challenged in court.
Christianity is enshrined in American history, culture and tradition. The first pilgrims, who came over on the Mayflower and settled in New England, did so to escape religious persecution in England and to openly practise their faith. In modern times, the majority of Americans describe themselves as being religious, despite the secularism which pervades the western world. Particularly in the south and mid west, protestantism is dominant, but due to mass immigration throughout the history of the country, there are also large numbers of Catholics and some adherents of other beliefs.
Although not officially a law until 1952, the idea of a national day of prayer goes back to 1775, when the constitutional congress recommended that July 20 be designated for this purpose. President John Adams asked the people of the newly formed nation to ask for God's protection on May 9 1798. During the bloody civil war of the 1860s, President Abraham Lincoln thought that a day of prayer would atone for the sins which had brought about the conflict and bring peace to the devastated country.
It became federal law in 1952, and has been acknowledged by republican presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush senior and George W. Bush, all of whom have held ceremonies to mark the occasion. However, the recent democratic administrations of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have not followed suit.
Opposition to the law was brought before court by the Freedom from Religion Foundation (FRFF) in 2008, who claimed that it contravened the First Amendment to the Constitution which prevents the federal government from enforcing religious observances.
Judge Crabb's later ruling, in April 2010, found the statute to be unconstitutional, and she stated that while the government could promote religious freedom, it could not enforce a religious practice, which should be a matter for the individual conscience. She added that she was not questioning the power of prayer or preventing people from freely acknowledging the day.
At present, the matter is still before the court as there are appeals still to be heard. Whether or not it continues to be an official event on the calendar, religion continues to hold a central place in American society.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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