Under instructions by proclamation of Alabama governor Bob Riley, residents of that state have been asking the heavens for rain. In a direct and outrageous violation of the separation of church and state, the Republican governor issued the proclamation on June 30 requesting that citizens "pray for rain"
"Throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask his blessings and hold us steady during times of difficulty," Riley said. "This drought is without question a time of great difficulty."
The director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Rev. Barry Lynn disapproves of the proclamation saying "He (Riley) shouldn't do these things that raise the specter of government promoting a particular religion, it's just a bad idea".
Riley's proclamation comes off to many as sounding as if it was concocted in the mind of a snake oil salesman, a Haitian voodoo shaman or a red-indian medicine-man rather than from a government official. Is government office really the place for religious fanatics?
Over the weekend intense thunderstorms moved through the state bringing torrential downpours and flash flooding, which resulted property damage in many areas. The National Weather Service reports that the rain produced by these storms was insufficient to solve the state's drought problems.
Step back non-believers, or the rain will never come.
Someone keep that fire a burning, somebody beat the drum...
"Throughout our history, Alabamians have turned in prayer to God to humbly ask his blessings and hold us steady during times of difficulty," Riley said. "This drought is without question a time of great difficulty."
The director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Rev. Barry Lynn disapproves of the proclamation saying "He (Riley) shouldn't do these things that raise the specter of government promoting a particular religion, it's just a bad idea".
Riley's proclamation comes off to many as sounding as if it was concocted in the mind of a snake oil salesman, a Haitian voodoo shaman or a red-indian medicine-man rather than from a government official. Is government office really the place for religious fanatics?
Over the weekend intense thunderstorms moved through the state bringing torrential downpours and flash flooding, which resulted property damage in many areas. The National Weather Service reports that the rain produced by these storms was insufficient to solve the state's drought problems.
Step back non-believers, or the rain will never come.
Someone keep that fire a burning, somebody beat the drum...
Quote:
Alabama Gets Rain During "Days Of Prayer"POSTED: 6:09 am EDT July 3, 2007MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Most of Alabama has received rain during the first few days of Governor Riley's "Days of Prayer for Rain.
"Weather officials say the amounts -- ranging from one-quarter inch in parts of west Alabama to three inches in parts of east Alabama -- are not enough to end the drought. But the rain is turning yards from brown to green.
A spokesman for Riley says any amount of rain is helpful and the governor is encouraging people to keep praying. Riley issued a proclamation last week declaring Saturday through July 7 as "Days of Prayer for Rain" in Alabama.
Despite the rain most places have received since Saturday, the Alabama Forestry Commission says it's not enough to lift the ban on outdoor burning in 40 Alabama counties. Those counties are mostly in north and central Alabama.
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/13611865/detail.html
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