Federal judge refuses to dismiss 'Day of Prayer' law suit
Pastor Dale Morgan
Federal judge refuses to dismiss 'Day of Prayer' law suit*
MADISON, Wisconsin (AP) — A federal judge has refused to dismiss a
lawsuit filed by an atheist group that claims the National Day of Prayer
is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb ruled this week the case brought by
the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation can proceed.
A federal law sets the first Thursday in May as the day for presidents
to issue proclamations asking Americans to pray.
Crabb says the nation's largest group of atheists and agnostics faces a
heavy burden in proving the tradition violates the Constitution's
provision for separation of church and state. But she says it should
have an opportunity to do so.
The Obama administration and National Day of Prayer Task Force had filed
motions to dismiss the case.