As I posted earlier this week, Texas Governor and potential presidential candidate Rick Perry is organizing a huge Christian prayer rally in Houston's Relient Stadium, inviting state and national leaders to participate. Today's Houston Chronicle reports on the backlash.
"I want to be clear that my criticism of the governor doesn't stem from my lack of appreciation for religion, rather it comes from my deep respect for religion and from not wanting religion to be prostituted for political purposes," said C. Welton Gaddy, a Baptist minister and president of the Washington, D.C.-based Interfaith Alliance. "I think the people of Texas elected him to be the governor of the state, not the pastor of the state."
Gaddy also expressed concern that Perry is organizing an event that "is not just distinctively Christian, but would be exclusionary of non-Christians. What got my attention is the close proximity between him talking about the run for the presidency and the critical condition of our nation all defined in pretty much policy issues."
Almost everything about this event is troubling – from its controversial sponsor, the American Family Association to its exclusionary Christian-only content to its proximity to the Governor's own pending decision of whether to run for President. Elected officials hold plenty of power as it is, and have plenty of responsibilities managing the affairs of state. We don't need them telling us how, when, where and to whom to pray.
[UPDATE: Americans United sent a letter to Governor Perry (pdf) urging him to abandon his promotion of the event. See also my reminder of Christ's admonition not to pray to be seen.]
