Is it unconstitutional for Rick Perry to endorse and promote the prayer event?

He has a right to freedom of speech too. He is not using any government money. I don’t agree with his hard right wing agenda, but I don’t see why he can’t do it. If the voters don’t like it they will vote him out.

Is Mr. Perry attempting to pass this celebration into a law? If so, then the plaintiffs have a case. If not, and it is just a call to participate, then he is in the clear.

The First Ammendment says Congress will make no law respecting the establishment of religion.
Congress has not done so.
Perry enjoys a prayer now and then.
My fellow atheists are occasionally embarrassing.

So they are going to cause the state to use funds for a lawsuit? For dumb stuff like this? It’s like guns and possession of them. If you don’t like either then stay away from them. These atheists should be spending their money on helping the poor, not wasting it on frivolous lawsuits.

As long as he isn’t using taxpayer dollars or government resources to do this, he’s fine in my book.

God was instrumental in bringing strength and conviction to the settlers and founders of this great nation to overcome insurmountable odds and if someone wants to invoke a little faith and reverence into our nations activities I say bring it on! (FWIW, I am an atheist)

“Rick Perry” is the key word here. He can do what ever he likes. The state of texas can’t but Rick Perry can.

I would also like to add, that I’m an atheist and 100% all in favor of this little get together to wish it was so. With that many people, odds are at least some will snap out of it when they realize they have accomplished nothing.

“Congress shall make no law… or the right of the people peaceably to assemble”

If anything i’d say this get together is protected by the constitution. (maybe I’m reading it wrong)

Meanwhile, a few miles down the street.

@poisonedantidote I think you’re right. This atheist group probably jumped the gun here, unless government funding was involved, but I haven’t heard anything about it yet.

I believe it might be unconstitutional but I am no expert. Perry issued an official proclamation in his capacity as the Governor of the State of Texas, thereby on behalf of the State Texas, about the event, invoking the name of Jesus and inviting people to a Christian prayer event. Like, I said, I’m no expert but that seems like a violation of the establishment clause. And @poisonedantidote the issue isn’t whether or not the prayer assembly can or should happen, whether or not those people have a right to “peaceably assemble,” of course they do, that is not what the suit is about. It is about whether or not Perry, in his official capacity as the Governor of the State of Texas has the constitutional right to endorse and promote the event in an official state proclamation. And @Blackberry, I don’t think it matters whether or not any state funds were involved, though they may have been if Perry travel to the event was paid for with taxpayer money. Again, not a lawyer, not an expert. Anyway, this is an issue for the courts.

@lillycoyote ; I didn’t know he endorsed it in an official state proclamation. That would mean that some state resources were used to type it, archive it, distribute it…....

@Judi Yes, I just edited my post to add a link to his website, the website of the Governor of the State Texas. I would assume that there is some official procedure and document when the governor issues a proclamation; posting it on the website just makes the text available to the public.

@lillycoyote I say that he has a right to endorse anything he wants as Rick Perry (regardless of job), if the moron used state money to do it, then what an idiot, a couple of flags and an HD camera would not have set him back much.

Even if he used a little state money, I still think it would be best to just leave him alone, don’t turn him in to a martir, let the thing take its course, and reveal him for the bafoon he is.

I think he would be legal if he would have stopped at ” it seems imperative that the people of our nation should once again join together for a solemn day of prayer and fasting on behalf of our troubled nation.”
What he says after that speaks to a specific religion, and that is where he might get bit.

I doubt if the suit will go anywhere. I could see a judge ordering the removal of the link to the rally’s webpage from the governor’s state-run website. But aside from that it seems destined to be thrown out.

Endorsing and promoting are not “forcing,” and “making law.” So, no, I don’t think it’s unconstitutional.

Anyway, it’s all moot. The suit was apparently dismissed on July 29th and the event itself took place 2, days ago on August 6th.

Pretty sure he isn’t doing anything unconstitutional.

No, certainly not. But it raises deeply troubling questions about his judgemenrt, his tenuous connection with reality and his choice of religious mentors. Headliner Pastor Hagee is on record claiming that “God sent Hitler as a “hunter””:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ct4_ze_FjNo: to drive the Jewish people to Israel. Seems an omnipotent being could have found a less bloody way. He also says Catholicism is a great whore and godless religion Hagee on catholics of hate. Seems like he’s more accurately describing himslef there. If this is Perry’s idea of Christianity and he wants to cram it down American throats, I will work tirelessly to defeat himmin any bid to become President of us all, Catholics included.

Let’s just hope his ‘proclamation’ just flushed his presidential desires down the crapper.. I don’t think america could handle another texas honcho.