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ACTION ALERT!
Religious Right hijacks National Day of Prayer TIA-CO asks Governor Ritter to support an inclusive event In 1952, President Truman called for "A National Day of Prayer" to unite Americans of all faiths as a way to achieve a vibrant national community. Today, it appears that religious conservatives led by Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family’s founder James Dobson, have misleadingly hijacked the event as their own. Calling themselves the National Day of Prayer Task Force, they are excluding Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists and even mainline Christians from National Prayer Day events scheduled for The National Day of Prayer Task Force requires volunteer coordinators to sign a pledge stating: "I commit that NDP activities I serve with will be conducted solely by Christians while those with differing beliefs are welcome to attend." The coordinators must also sign a statement of faith that includes the following language: "I believe that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of The Living God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only One by which I can obtain salvation and have an ongoing relationship with God." This clearly aligns a government-sponsored event with a particular Christian denomination, in violation of the basic provisions of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado is calling on Governor Bill Ritter to support an inclusive day of prayer. Governor Ritter has already issued a proclamation declaring May 1 the “Colorado Day of Prayer.” Governor Ritter’s proclamation uses the National Day of Prayer Task Force’s theme. You may view our letter to Governor Ritter below. We also ask you, the members of The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, to participate in an Inclusive National Day of Prayer Campaign that exposes the discriminatory practices of this fundamentalist group. Please contact Governor Ritter today and ask him to issue a proclamation for an inclusive observance, and not one that supports an exclusivist task force covertly organized by Focus on the Family. Our friends at Jews on First have set up a website dedicated to promoting inclusion in the National Day of Prayer. It has complete background on the National Day of Prayer and the takeover by the Christian right. There, you’ll also find links for a draft letter and a telephone script that you can use in contacting Governor Ritter. Please contact Governor Ritter’s office today. THE INTERFAITH ALLIANCE OF COLORADO'S LETTER TO GOVERNOR RITTER Dear Governor Bill Ritter: As President of The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, I am writing to express my concern about the National Day of Prayer and the limitations on who can participate in it. When President Truman initiated a National Prayer Day in 1952, he clearly intended for it to embrace all Americans whatever their faith tradition. Now it appears that conservative Christian evangelicals, led by Shirley Dobson (wife of James Dobson) and their organization, Focus on the Family, have taken over this event. Calling themselves the National Day of Prayer Task Force, they are excluding Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists and even mainline Christians from National Prayer Day events scheduled for The National Day of Prayer Task Force requires volunteer coordinators to sign a pledge stating: "I commit that NDP activities I serve with will be conducted solely by Christians while those with differing beliefs are welcome to attend." The coordinators must also sign a statement of faith that includes the following language: "I believe that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of The Living God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only One by which I can obtain salvation and have an ongoing relationship with God." This clearly aligns a government-sponsored event with a particular Christian denomination, in violation of the basic provisions of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibit an establishment of religion and the limitation of the free exercise of religion. I understand that you have already issued a proclamation calling for a Colorado Day of Prayer on May 1 and that the proclamation uses the NDP Task Force’s theme. I am writing to urge you to review it in the light of this discrimination and re-consider whether it expresses the inclusivity and respect for all religious traditions that truly reflect the best values in our state and nation. If it does not, would you consider rescinding it and issuing a new proclamation calling for an inclusive national day of prayer, embracing people of every faith tradition and inviting clergy of diverse faith traditions to participate? Sincerely yours, The Rev. Patrick O. Hurley, President "I believe in an
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