People of Advent…
. . . you may have heard on the national news, and here in the Milwaukee area that a Wisconsin federal judge, Barbara Crabb found the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional saying it violates the First Amendment prohibition against laws respecting the establishment of religion. I was asked by the writer of that article for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel for my reaction.

On Friday morning another article appeared that lifted a quote from my response. In spite of the fact that the quote was entirely accurate, it was woefully incomplete because of its brevity. I want you to have the full text of what I answered when contacted by Journal Sentinel writer Annysa Johnson on Wednesday evening,

Faithfully yours, Pastor Kinens.

April 15, 2010. (To the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
“As an ELCA Lutheran pastor in Cedarburg, Wisconsin, I have always believed, and still fervently believe in the separation of church (religion) and state. In that sense I applaud the court decision. Although not explicitly admitted by those who practice it, it is my opinion that unfortunately a “National Day of Prayer” has usually meant a “Christian Day of Prayer.” That’s why I applaud the court’s decision. I personally believe that a “National Day of Prayer” is a great idea in a different sense…in fact I pray every day…but if any such day were to be legislated it should be made very clear that it is in no way a respecter of any particular religion. It would be great to set a day aside when all Americans could celebrate the deeper spiritual meaning of what it means to live among and practice the many unique freedoms that we as Americans enjoy. I find it difficult to understand why this day needs to be considered “religious,” unless we honestly celebrated the rich and wonderful religious diversity that is ours in America. Our founding fathers were very clear, I believe, in doing their level best to not impose any particular religion, or to forbid such under any circumstances that are already not outlined in and protected by the Constitution itself. I find it both troubling and dangerous that so many zealous believers of any religion want to legislate their particular understanding of faith and God for everyone else. We don’t need to look far to see the horrific and devastating results of a Theocracy form of government. Iran…Iraq…Saudi Arabia…come to mind immediately although there are other Theocracies in the world community of nations. Indeed let us always thank God for both the freedom of religion as well as the freedom from it!”