Reflections on the National Day of Prayer
by Rick Clark
Now that the National Day of Prayer (NDP) came and went last Thursday, May 3, let's do something
refreshingly nonreligious -- let's think about it.
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Perhaps some of you, myself included, belong to the religious-skeptic minority. If so, NDP probably
made you think something like, "Are church and state truly separate if the federal government declares
a day of prayer?" After all, doesn't the First Amendment decree that the government can make no law
for the express purpose of favoring religion? Doesn't declaring a National Day of Prayer do exactly that?
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Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura thinks so. He refuses to make the proclamation in his state. I submit that
officials who do so are not playing by Constitutional rules at all. And is there no more constructive
way for Americans to spend their time or a more appropriate way for our tax dollars to be spent? As my
wife lamented, "National Day of Prayer? Why not something worthwhile, like National Buy Nothing Day or
National Turn Off Your TV Week?" These events actually exist. Have you ever heard of them? Do you suppose
the corporate power brokers and their government lackeys consider such events less worthy of publicity than
NDP? I urge you to think about that one.
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Others of you may belong to the substantial number of religious apathetics -- you don't really care what
the religionists are up to. A dangerous attitude, if you think about it. A little superstition goes a long
way, especially if it’s not checked or balanced by reason. There are a great many unfortunates who have
fallen prey to unfettered religious nonsense (children born to parents who pray in lieu of going to a doctor
is one example.) So, all of you who value your freedom, take heed -- don't turn your back on religious zealots.
They're already planning to steal your tax money and call it "charitable choice!"
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Still other readers may be in this country's church-going minority. Perhaps you think there is something
to all of this NDP business, that it's just prayer, not politics. Consider Matthew 6:6 -- ". . .when you pray,
go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what
is done in secret will reward you."
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Finally, there is that other vocal minority, though they seem like thundering hordes in tax-friendly El Paso County.
It is Christian fundamentalists who are the real proponents for NDP. In fact, the NDP Task Force is headed by none
other than Shirley Dobson, wife of Colorado Springs’ own religious tycoon James Dobson. Mr. Dobson is, of course,
President of Focus on the Family, which markets a popular brand of industrial Christianity from right here in our
fair city. Coincidence or effective business practice?
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Now, back to my earlier admonition to think about NDP's political ramifications. Are the Dobsons politically neutral?
I suppose none of us really are. But is it right for that kind of money and politico-religious power to influence your
government?
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Please, think about the NDP's obvious Christian agenda. If you are free of religious dogma or moving away from it,
think about government-sanctioned superstition; it violates the Constitution. But don't bother praying about it.
The NDP is not only unconstitutional, it promotes a nationwide exercise in futility.
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