Judge tosses attempt to stop Perry prayer rally

[rug]

HOUSTON — A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to stop Gov. Rick Perry from sponsoring a national day of Christian prayer and fasting, ruling Thursday that the group of atheists and agnostics did not have legal standing to sue.

U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller said the Freedom From Religion Foundation argued against Perry's involvement based merely on feelings of exclusion, but did not show sufficient harm to merit the injunction they sought.

"The governor has done nothing more than invite others who are willing to do so to pray," Miller said.

Rich Bolton, who argued for the group, said he was considering an appeal.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/7674113.html#ixzz1TRYGc9z4

[stopbush]

1. I hope Bolton appeals.

I hate these elitist Xians. Fuck them.

[rug]

2. He'll have to get around the standing issue.

[RKP5637]

3. I wonder when the line is crossed for mixing religion and government. This IMO

is exclusionary since it appears to be a Christian prayer and fasting event, but gov. oriented. I'm not a religious person, I find it all a bit strange for a country that professes separation of gov. and religion.

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Strange, and dismaying.

[struggle4progress]

9. It will have to involve the actual exercise of governmental powers somehow:

the mere fact that Perry is governor will be inadequate

[HockeyMom]

4. As that Wiccan 13 year old boy did, walk out

when the Pledge and one nation under god came on. His right. Nobody can FORCE anybody else to pray. Neither the teacher, nor the principal of the public school, tried to stop him. In fact when one homeroom teacher tried to make the students have a "moment of silence" 99% of the class walked out and told their parents. Guess who was disciplined? No, it wasn't the students.

You want a "national day of prayer"? Fine. Just don't ask me to join you.

[RKP5637]

6. +1,000,000 +++ n/t

[okasha]

7. Alas, Don is a week early

and will largely miss Houston.

[struggle4progress]

8. That was entirely predictable.