Court Allows Rick Perry to Participate in Prayer Rally

AP Images/Richard Vogel

After withstanding much persecution, Texas Gov. Rick Perry will be allowed to attend his scheduled prayer and fasting event next week. A federal judge
on Thursday dismissed a group of atheists’ lawsuit filed against
Perry. 

Wisconsin-based
Freedom From Religion Foundation filed a lawsuit this month claiming
that the governor’s participation in The Response: A Call to Prayer
for a Nation in Crisis was unconstitutional.

Although the
group did not want to block the prayer event—scheduled to take
place Aug. 6 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium—lawyers sought to stop
Perry from taking part. They argued that the participation of the
governor, who may still seek a presidential bid, would violate the
First Amendment’s requirement of separation of church and state.

Judge Gray H.
Miller, of Federal District Court in the Southern District of Texas,
ruled that the group did not having standing to sue, citing a 7th
circuit ruling in favor of President Obama promoting the National Day
of Prayer.

“We are pleased
with the Court’s ruling, and Governor Perry looks forward to
participating in a day of prayer for our nation,” Perry’s spokesman
Mark Miner told ABC news in an e-mail.

Liberty
Institute, which filed a motion to intervene in the case, argued in
court Thursday on behalf of the American Family Association, which is
planning and promoting The Reponse.

“This
is a complete and total victory for freedom and the First Amendment,”
says Kelly Shackelford, president/CEO for Liberty Institute. “The
judge rightly dismissed this case and the national prayer event will
go on as planned. This was an attack on the First Amendment rights of
every American, and it failed miserably.”

Tim Wildmon, president of the American Family Association, says: “The
swiftness of the court’s decision shows how ridiculous this case is. AFA
is very thankful for Liberty Institute for handling this case and
championing religious freedom for America.”