As Christian evangelist Franklin Graham responds to recent ruling against the constitutionality of the National Day of Prayer, anti-Christian activists call for his Pentagon speaking engagement to be cancelled out of respect for Muslims
UPDATE 4/23/10: Sarah Palin said, "Are we really so hyper-politically correct that we can’t abide a Christian minister who expresses his views on matters of faith? What a shame. Yes, things have changed."
UPDATE 4/22/10: Pentagon gives Rev. Graham the boot
-- From "Group Wants Evangelist's Pentagon Event Canceled" By Dan Elliott, Associated Press 4/20/10
Mikey Weinstein, president of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said inviting evangelist Franklin Graham to speak May 6, the National Day of Prayer, "would be like bringing someone in on national prayer day madly denigrating Christianity" or other religious groups.
It would also endanger American troops by stirring up Muslim extremists, Weinstein said.
After the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Graham said Islam "is a very evil and wicked religion." He hasn't changed his views on Islam, said his spokesman, Mark DeMoss.
Weinstein, the foundation president, also criticized the Pentagon's working relationship with the National Day of Prayer Task Force, a Colorado group that organizes Christian events for the prayer day, designated by Congress.
Weinstein said that while he doesn't object to the day of prayer, the Pentagon chaplain's office has effectively endorsed the task force by using its materials and routinely inviting its honorary chairman to speak at the Pentagon. Weinstein said that amounts to preferential treatment in violation of Defense Department rules.
Graham is honorary chairman this year for the National Day of Prayer Task Force, based in Colorado Springs. A spokesman for the task force didn't immediately return a telephone message.
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From "Franklin Graham fires back about National Day of Prayer" by WSOC-TV posted at The Star of Shelby, NC 4/19/10
Graham responded to [Wisconsin ruling] by saying, "It sounds to me like even the judge in this case understands the power of prayer. But it's voluntary. There's no requirement that people pray. To act like a National Day of Prayer is a bad thing or somehow subversive is ridiculous. Surely our country needs prayer now more than ever."
"Our country has a long history of recognizing a national day of prayer. It's something that dates back to the Continental Congress, when it recommended that states set aside a day for prayer and thanksgiving," Graham said. "This is a significant part of our country's heritage."
The Freedom From Religion Foundation, a Madison-based group of atheists and agnostics, filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2008 arguing the day violated the separation of church and state.
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