From bpnews.net
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--We are taking a dangerous path when we begin disqualifying individuals for public office if they actually practice the faith they profess.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry, like every other American citizen, is free to exercise his faith. Our Founding Fathers recognized the threat presented by a state that could at its discretion proscribe or advocate a particular faith. Their time-tested solution? The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Rick Perry is an evangelical Christian. It is out of that faith background that he is issuing a call for this solemn gathering. In fact, the idea behind this call reportedly germinated for over a year in the governor's mind. This was far in advance of anyone mentioning the governor as a possible GOP candidate for president.
Furthermore, no government funds or facilities are being used in the "The Response" event. While the office of governor certainly gives Gov. Perry a more visible platform, his involvement in this call to prayer is as a private citizen. After all, Texas voters were well aware of his evangelical faith when they elected him.
In a pluralistic society Christians are as free as anyone else to practice their faith. Other faith traditions are just as free to either hold or not hold prayer events of their own.
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