Archive for May 2009
National Day of Prayer: Words and Images
Headlines, stories, quotes, and photos from around the nation
Obama Sits Out National Day of Prayer as Millions Pray for Him
CAPITOL HILL (CNSNews.com) — A caucus room in a House of Representatives office buidling was transformed into a place of worship on Thursday, as people in the nation’s capital joined with millions of others Americans across the country to celebrate the National Day of Prayer.
Members of Congress, religious and military leaders, and ordinary citizens prayed for the nation and for those who lead it, including President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden – neither of whom made any public appearance or speech to mark the occasion.
Obama issued a proclamation marking the day on Thursday afternoon, which is required by federal law…
“It comforts me to no end to know that it isn’t any human being, it is the Lord that has the government on his shoulder,” Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) said. “All things are possible. He is our true hope. He is the light of the world and in these uncertain times, it is a comfort when Scripture tells us, ‘I am God.’” full story
A time for hope: National Day of Prayer marked at Michigan Capitol
LANSING, Mich. (LSJ.com) — Congregations from 45 Lansing-area churches gathered in front of the Capitol on Thursday to participate in the National Day of Prayer.
“People need hope,” said Stephanie Butler, Lansing Partnerships coordinator for Trinity Church and event organizer. “God is real. He is here and he is listening. We believe that as we come together to pray, God will heal our troubles.” full story
Dobson regrets Obama’s snub of prayer ceremonies
CAPITOL HILL (AP) — After attending the Capitol observance, Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson said that since Obama welcomes athletic champions to the White House, it would seem appropriate to give more recognition to prayer as past presidents have done.
“We will not be disrespectful of him because of the office — and we do pray for him,” Dobson stated. “But I do regret his lack of emphasis on the foundation of prayer, on which this country was based.” full story
Where’s the National Prayer Day?
BAINBRIDGE, Georgia (BainbridgeGA.com) — First, President Barrack Obama abandoned the traditional National Prayer Day observance at the White House, then local ladies found the same situation in Bainbridge…
This year, instead of church leaders offering prayers and mobilizing the community on National Prayer Day, only a small group of about a dozen women arrived at Willis Park, but found no one else there.
For many years, clergy and the community have gathered in Willis Park on the first Thursday of May, at noon, for the observance.
The ladies did not turn and leave, however. They gathered together and offered thanks for the freedom to pray in public and to repent the nation’s sins… full story
WH Release: President signs Prayer Day Proclamation
…Let us also use this day to come together in a moment of peace and goodwill. Our world grows smaller by the day, and our varied beliefs can bring us together to feed the hungry and comfort the afflicted; to make peace where there is strife; and to lift up those who have fallen on hard times. As we observe this day of prayer, we remember the one law that binds all great religions together: the Golden Rule, and its call to love one another; to understand one another; and to treat with dignity and respect those with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth… full proclamation
LA CHURCH & STATE EXAMINER EXCLUSIVE: PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON WENT PUBLIC WITH PRAYER
George Washington went public with prayer
While President Barack Obama plans to commemorate the National Day of Prayer with private prayer and a public reading of the proclamation for the day, one president didn’t mince words when it came to the need for prayer….
Student Wins Case Against Christian-Bashing Teacher
Orange County high school student, Chad Farnan, has won a lawsuit in which the court ruled Friday against a teacher who was shown to often use his classroom to attack Christian thought.
LA CHURCH & STATE EXAMINER EXCLUSIVE
In the Farnan v. Capistrano Unified School District case, Farnan, a sophomore at Capistrano Valley High School at the time, stated that his Advanced Placement European History teacher, Dr. James Corbett spends a good portion of each lecture attacking Christianity and other religions.
Farnan, who said he often prayed for his teacher, taped a lecture by Corbett in which he stated that “when you put on your Jesus glasses, you can’t see the truth.”
The judge in the case held that Corbett did violate an establishment clause by stating “an unequivocal belief that creationism is ‘superstitious nonsense,’” according to a press release from the group defending Farnan. The court went on to hold that Corbett’s statement “constitutes improper disapproval of religion in violation of the Establishment Clause.”
The Advocates For Faith and Freedom Law group’s statement on the case:
In reviewing hours of statements by Dr. Corbett, we believe he is violating the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution by attacking religion, particularly Christianity, and creating a hostile environment for religious students. We have filed a lawsuit in an attempt to have the teacher removed from teaching this class and to establish precedent that will put teachers on notice that attacking students’ religious beliefs in class is a violation of law.
Following our filing of the First Amended Complaint, the School District and teacher filed a motion to dismiss the case. In opposing the School District, Advocates emphasized the need to interpret the First Amendment in such a way that protects Chad’s right to attend class without being constantly barraged with the teacher’s anti-Christian sentiments.
The Judge denied the School District’s motion to dismiss. Subsequently, the California Teachers Association filed a motion with the Court seeking to intervene on behalf of the School District and Dr. Corbett. The judge has permitted the intervention. Both sides filed a motion for summary judgment, asking the Court to rule in their favor. On May 1, 2009, the Court issued rendered a first-of-its-kind decision in Chad’s favor.
In a Web site Farnan setup to defend himself he previously wrote: “This was not an easy thing for me to do. As my family and I listened to the tapes of Dr. Corbett and his anti-christian views, we prayed for him everyday and hoped that he would stop.”
