A lawsuit in Wisconsin claims that the National Day of Prayer is unconstitutional, but that did not stop Athens County from celebrating the holiday last night at the fairgrounds.
The event was filled with approximately 100 performers and spectators expressing their faith through song, drama, prayer and even miming. One Ohio University freshman even break-danced to express his faith in an uncommon way.
This is a positive thing. There are too many depressing things out there
and (we) use all age groups and all types of worship said Matthew Simmers, a freshman studying dance and one of the performers of the David's Tent Processional, a group that danced and acted out skits.
Tylor Gillett, a spectator and student at Hocking College said that his favorite part was watching Simmers break dance.
It's great to get people and God together Gillett said. That's the meaning of life ... and it's just going to grow and grow.
Shortly after the Processional, the Beal Family Mime Team took the stage and acted out the crucifixion of Jesus. The Marietta-based team began miming three years ago and said that their priority is to spread the message of God to believers and nonbelievers.
However, a federal judge in Wisconsin declared the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional last month because it violates the idea of the separation of church and state. This lawsuit was first filed in 2008 by the Freedom from Religion Foundation. U.S. President Barack Obama issued a proclamation that continued the holiday, at least for this year.
We'll see what happens
but we can still get together (next year) and pray
said Diana Kinder, the county coordinator of the Athens National Day of Prayer event.
Judie Teagarden, the director of the David's Tent Processional, said that this controversy is just a sign of the times.
It's time for the church ... to rise up and take its place and be accounted for
said Teagarden. Too many times have too few people dictated what to do and how to do it.
Kinder also added that there is a petition online that people can sign to support National Day of Prayer, and attendees of the event last night were repeatedly urged to do so.
I pray that our government sees the importance that Christianity has played in the formation of this country
Kinder said.
Zach Nelson | Picture Editor
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Culture
Emma Morehart
