The Freedom from Religion Foundation has filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Governor Rick Perry over his prayer rally. The foundation is hoping to stop the governor from participating in the prayer day. The suit claims that the rally is in violation of the establishment clause, a constitutional ban that restricts governments from establishing any type of religion.
The rally called “The Response” is scheduled to be held on August 6 and will last for 7 hours. To date, over 6,000 people have registered for the upcoming event. It is being endorsed by numerous Texas religious groups and pastors. The Houston Chronicle reports that Perry has also sent invitations to the prayer rally to other politicians and Christians across the United States.
The foundation has filed a lawsuit previously arguing that the National Day of Prayer was unconstitutional. However, the 7th Circuit Court found that the plaintiffs did not suffer from any injuries due to the day and that they had no legal standing. Since the president does not force anyone to observe the day he is not pushing religion on U.S. citizens.
Although Perry has been sued, he still plans to continue with the prayer rally. Perry has even went as far as endorsing the event through an online video. He says he is “calling on Americans to pray and to fast like Jesus did.” Perry has described the rally as a day of “non-denominational apolitical Christian prayer meeting.”
