WASHINGTON -- Days after passing a measure encouraging public schools and governments to post the Ten Commandments, the House
of Representatives is poised to debate a proposal calling on the American people to engage in prayer, fasting and humiliation. "Obviously, the
House of Representatives is hopelessly adrift," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "Our nation faces serious problems, but all
the House can offer are pious platitudes and meaningless resolutions."H.Con.Res.94, introduced by Rep. Helen Chenoweth (R-Idaho), asserts that the country has rejected God's lovend calls on the state
and local governments to "observe a day of solemn prayer, fasting and humiliation before God." Said Lynn, "It's not surprising that the House is considering calling for a national day of
prayer and 'humiliation.' Many Americans are already humiliated by the nonsense coming from the House and are praying that members of Congress move on to real issues." The measure has 30 cosponsors,
including Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas) and Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas). Lynn said, "The real news for the backers of this measure is that our country is one of the most religious on
earth. The American people know when and how to pray. The last thing we need are political demagogues masquerading as spiritual leaders. "Calling people to prayer and worship is the job of our houses
of worship," Lynn said. "If the House has nothing better to do than stomp all over religion's turf, then it's time for them to take a long summer vacation. We can only hope that when they come
back, they will have lost the urge to exploit religion for misguided political crusades and cheap points on some right-wing 'voters scorecard.'" |
