NY Times Article on Freedom From Religion Group

[joelbct]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/24atheist.html?hpw

"Legal Victory Raises Profile of an Atheist Group"

Hope for America....

[FBM]

Sweeeet...

[charlou]

The group’s biggest victory to date came last week when Judge Barbara B. Crabb of Federal District Court ruled that the federal government could not enact a law in support of prayer any more than it could “encourage citizens to fast during the month of Ramadan, attend a synagogue, purify themselves in a sweat lodge or practice rune magic.” The law, signed by President Harry S. Truman in 1952, calls on the president to sign a proclamation annually in observance of a National Day of Prayer.

The judge said the ruling would be stayed for 60 days to give the Obama administration, whose lawyers defended the prayer day in court, the chance to file an appeal. On Thursday, the White House said it would appeal and that, in the meantime, the president would sign this year’s prayer proclamation, as scheduled, on May 6.

The court ruling drew fire from the private National Day of Prayer Task Force. Michael Calhoun, a spokesman, described it as “an attack upon the religious heritage” of the nation. He criticized the Madison organization.

“It is a sad day in America when an atheist in Wisconsin,” he said, “can undermine this tradition for millions of others.”

It is still not easy being an atheist in public. No corporate group gives money to the foundation. Ms. Gaylor said she typically avoids making her views on political candidates public, calling it “the kiss of death” to be endorsed by an organization of nonbelievers.

She acknowledged voting for Mr. Obama, and expressed disappointment that his administration has defended the prayer day law. “I don’t give him a pass,” she said. “He’s a constitutional scholar. He knows we’re right.”

On the bolded bit: How fucking lame their faith must be if they need an officially endorsed and maintained "traditional" directive to observe their own religious practice.

[kiki5711]

You know I am not even sure if that is possible in the USA. I know when I lived in Croatia religion was kind of considered for old people (anyway that's what my dad would tell me) and religion was never an issue or discussed, but here in the states it is a big issue. It's a life line to many people, a method of coping, a way to live. It's just has too many roots in people's minds.