Americans United vows to fight Istook prayer amendment. (In the Capital).U.S. Rep. Ernest J. Istook's latest attempt to add a school prayer amendment to the Constitution deserves a speedy defeat in Congress, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State Americans United for Separation of Church and State (Americans United or AU for short) is a religious freedom advocacy group in the United States which promotes the separation of church and state, a legal doctrine seen by the AU as being enshrined in the Establishment . On April 9, Istook introduced his "Pledge and Prayer Amendment," a measure intended to allow government-sanctioned prayer and other religious activities at public schools and other public facilities. The amendment, H.J. Res. 46, was cosponsored by 88 House members. Said Americans United Executive Director Barry W. Lynn Reverend Barry W. Lynn (born 1948 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania) has been the Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State since 1992.[1] , "It's time It's Time was a successful political campaign run by the Australian Labor Party (ALP) under Gough Whitlam at the 1972 election in Australia. Campaigning on the perceived need for change after 23 years of conservative (Liberal Party of Australia) government, Labor put forward a again to remind the U.S. Congress of a fundamental truth: The First Amendment is not broken and doesn't need to be fixed. Istook's amendment claims to protect the people's right to pray, but that right is already protected by the First Amendment." Lynn charged that Istook is introducing the amendment now to capitalize on Cap´i`tal`ize on` v. t. 1. To turn (an opportunity) to one's advantage; to take advantage of (a situation); to profit from; as, to capitalize on an opponent's mistakes s>. Religious Right-led hysteria over the recent ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals striking down recitation rec·i·ta·tion n. 1. a. The act of reciting memorized materials in a public performance. b. The material so presented. 2. a. Oral delivery of prepared lessons by a pupil. b. of the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance, in full, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, oath that proclaims loyalty to the United States. and its national symbol. in public schools because of its religious content. Istook's measure would permit public schools to sponsor prayer and religious worship and would allow government to display sectarian symbols and religious codes like the Ten Commandments Ten Commandments or Decalogue [Gr.,=ten words], in the Bible, the summary of divine law given by God to Moses on Mt. Sinai. They have a paramount place in the ethical system in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. in government buildings. The House rejected an earlier version of the amendment in 1998. "This amendment will foster a type of religious mob rule in our public schools," said Lynn. "Religious majorities will be able to impose their faith on everyone else. That runs counter to the spirit of true religious liberty." The amendment reads, "To secure the people's right to acknowledge God according to the dictates of conscience: The people retain the right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, and traditions on public property, including schools. The United States and the States shall not establish any official religion nor require any person to join in prayer or religious activity." |
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