Posted on 06/12/2011 9:18:19 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Texas Governor Rick Perry’s prayer and fasting event slated to be held in Houston later this summer is drawing criticism from advocates of separation from church and state and gay rights organizations.
Earlier this week, Perry called upon U.S. governors, fellow Texans, and people from all backgrounds and Christian denominations to join him August 6 for a “solemn day of prayer and fasting on behalf of our troubled nation” at Reliant Stadium.
Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, has attacked the governor’s involvement in “The Response” prayer event, which he compares to a “fundamentalist Christian revival service.”
In a letter to Perry, Lynn urged the governor to cancel the event or sever his ties to “a sectarian gathering that excludes millions of Americans.”
Lynn took issue with the The Response’s Christian statement of faith, which was adopted from the American Family Association, the main organization partnering with Perry to host the rally. He also found fault with a description found on the event’s website that says all those in attendance will be there “to proclaim Jesus as Savior and pray for America.”
“With all due respect, Gov. Perry, I must remind you that you were elected chief executive of the state of Texas – not its chief pastor. What you are proposing is not an inclusive event that welcomes all people,” wrote Lynn.
Perry defended the inclusivity of the prayer rally in an e-mail Friday.
“It is Christian-centered, yes, but I have invited and welcome people of all faiths to attend,” said the Texas governor, according to The New York Times.
Perry is also drawing criticism over his association with groups that have spoken out against gay marriage. American Family Association, which is funding the prayer rally, is known for its activism efforts to protect traditional marriage in the public square, including calls to boycott business that promote the homosexual agenda. Other leaders of The Response have also taken a stance against gay marriage in the past.
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a Washington-based gay rights organization, charged Perry with “aligning with groups who, on a daily basis, seek to demonize LGBT Americans.”
Perry responded to the assertions made about AFA, stating in his e-mail that AFA is “a group that promotes faith and strong families, and this event is about bringing Americans together in prayer,” the NY Times reported.
“I have made it clear that I believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman,” he added in the e-mail.
The Response will be free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback of Kansas has confirmed that he will attend.
Re-Huck
However, I see no legal issues here and I'm wondering why the critics see this as an issue.
Barry Lynn is a commie freak, or a freaking commie, one or the other.
“I’m wondering why the critics see this as an issue.”
Wherever God is welcomed, these people se a problem.
The enemies of Christ are not the rational keepers of tolerance but rather the destroyers of harmony and peace. They seek to erase the public name of God and the silence of His people in order to have only their will be done on earth, only man exalted and, ironically, only Satan worshipped!
“Re-Huck” — yes, and Re-Bush too.
No thanks. Don’t pander to my faith to hide your own big government tendencies Mr. Perry.
Being criticized by Barry Lynn and the pro-homo groups is worth a million dollars in advertising for a conservative candidate.
Where does it say an elected official can NOT worship as he or she pleases?
Christianity is under attack!
Wow. Seeing quite a few of your posts on the subject you really seem to hate Perry don't you?
I still don't get what you think is so terrible about him. I've seen some of the arguments against him and sure, he deserves criticism for some things - but overall Perry still seems like a fairly conservative governor who could make for a pretty strong candidate. He's a hell of a lot better than Romney (which granted, isn't saying much) and Texas is doing pretty well all things considered. With a 2012 election that is going to be about jobs and cutting budgets, it seems to me Perry has that covered in spades.
If Palin decides not to run, it is hard for me to believe that Perry wouldn't be a very strong candidate. Without Palin it strikes me that, at least at this time, our best alternatives are Bachmann and Pawlenty. I think Perry could be very competitive with both of them and would provide for another reasonably conservative option.
Hate Perry? No, but I do absolutely sense a rerun of Bush. I think he will be assumed far more conservative than he is - just like Bush. I think folks will be fooled for the same reasons they were fooled by Bush.
And yes, he’ll be a formidable candidate with lots of hair, lots of money and a lot of folks giving him credit for Texas’ economy which has almost nothing to do with him.
I get this info primarily from Texas Freepers BTW, as well as some other research. If he gets the nomination, he will beat Obama - as almost anyone will. But then he’ll likely govern like Bush and likely set up the “next Obama.”
I’ll vote for him over Obama for sure. But I think he’ll disappoint mightily if elected.
Rick Perry is Pandering to the conservative base with the Prayer Breakfast.
Why the sudden interest in things of Faith (just in the nick of time for the presidential race)?
So, lets give Slick Rick the benefit of a doubt, and say he’s “real” on spiritual (social) issues.....That still leaves the other two issues for a real conservative
1) Fiscal
2) The role of Government
Fiscal, I don’t give Rick credit for Texas’ good moves, because is you know ANYTHING about Texas Government, you know that the Gov in Texas is a VERY WEAK, basically it’s a bully pulpit (this is do to the reconstruction, we didn’t want to allow carpet baggers to get control and run the Texas from the governor’s office). So it was the Texas House and Senate that get the “job well done” for the Fiscal state of Texas...
The Role of Government: I think Rick has showed his hands on the Trans-Texas Corridor, and the Gardasil fiascos. That, and all the “bother-in-laws” at various posts, and relatives who are lobbyists. Essentially he gets a F in the Role of Government and a A in Cronyism.
This is why Perry is a RINO. To NOT be a RINO you have to be a social conservative, fiscal conservative, and have a conservative view of the role of government. (the Tri-fecta). Rick does not meet all three, and has cronyism issues.
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