By ARMAN NARDI, Publisher
Gainesville Daily Register
Gainesville —
Every year more than 95 special days, weeks and months are observed by presidential proclamation in the United States.
Spanning the spectrum of American life, themes range from Mother’s Day to Child Safety day, National Park Week and National Preparedness Month.
The National Day of Prayer encourages prayer without endorsing any single religion - an important distinction.
In 1952 President Harry Truman signed its observance into law declaring it, “A day on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation in groups and as individuals.”
In 1988 President Ronald Reagan signed a law designating the day as the first Thursday of the month of May; this year being May 6.
Recently, US District Judge Barbara Crabb of Wisconsin ruled the day “an unconstitutional endorsement of religion by the government.”
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, the organization of atheists and agnostics that brought on the challenge, clearly have no regard for the rights of those who choose not to share its views.
Since the initial draft of The Constitution, arguments surfaced about the extent to which government could direct religious observance.
The Founding Fathers understood that and the First Amendment protects the free exercise of religion from any encroachment by the federal government.
The nation is prohibited from establishing a national religion, but the government is often charged with neither maintaining a public sector completely free from religion or ignoring its role in the lives of so many of its citizens.
While prayer has a pretty direct link to religion, no one is required by law to take part in the National Day of Prayer.
Designating the first Thursday in May National Day of Prayer no more forces people to pray than designating the first Tuesday in November Election Day forces people to vote.
On the National Day of Prayer people can gather to pray.
Or reflect in silence. Or go about their business as if the observance doesn't exist.
One of the big differences between the National Day of Prayer and the reoccurring issue of prayer in school is that children are required to attend school while nobody is forced to attend National Day of Prayer events. This is freedom of choice and expression - protected by the First Amendment.
It is important to remember that the National Day of Prayer is not a holiday or an ultimatum; it is an observance along the lines of Religious Freedom Day, which was Jan. 16.
Think about President Obama's proclamation for that day, "Rededicate ourselves to fostering peace with those whose beliefs differ from our own. In doing so, we reaffirm our common humanity and respect for all people with whom we share a brief moment on this Earth."
Even with the ruling, which Judge Crabb stayed pending resolution of any appeal; the White House has said the President will still recognize the National Day of Prayer.
A day paying homage to the significance of prayer is no threat to anyone. Those who don't believe are free to simply ignore it.
Armand Nardi is the publisher of the Gainesville Daily Register. He can be contacted at: anardi@ntin.net.
