Presidential hopeful Perry to lead prayer rally tonight

[Sweet Daddy]

In case you weren't aware, a Christians-only rally is happening today/tonight in Houston, led by TX Gov. Rick Perry. It's a little hard to find articles that aren't exclusively pro- or anti- this event. Here's the closest I've found to what's supposed to be journalistic and not editorial from the Houston Chronicle.

If you google Perry Prayer Rally, there's a ton of articles about it.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/...w/7682554.html

Perry sent an invitation to all the nation's governors, members of Congress, the Obama administration and the Texas Legislature, among others. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who is running for the U.S. Senate, and House Speaker Joe Straus, who is Jewish, have declined. Last week Perry himself said, facetiously, that, maybe, he will be ushering Saturday and perhaps will have no official role.

The Mississippi-based American Family Association is paying for the event. The group condemns homosexuality, opposes abortion rights and argues the First Amendment's guarantee of religious freedom applies only to Christians. The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the organization a hate group for spreading misinformation about homosexuals.

The group's notoriety and Perry's association with it, along with his focus on social and religious issues, run the risk of marginalizing a presidential run, Jillson said.

Thoughts on a Presidential candidate hosting this type of event, or what you think it will do to his race, if not the race as a whole?

[flyerhawk]

I wonder if he will say a prayer for Todd Willingham?

[Superbelt]

Only to plead that God make sure he's in hell, getting sodomized by demons, I imagine.
If it takes guts to execute an innocent man, it takes more guts to ask for Gods intercession to make sure he's punished eternally for it.

[Vin Lombardi]

First, I think the part you quoted is a little biased. Who cares about the AFA's positions if they're not raking in money from this event or those topics aren't being discussed?

But on to the meat of it - as a non-religious person (see the other thread), I want my politicians to keep religion and politics separate. However, I don't see a problem with people getting together and praying / fasting. If it was "we're not going to do anything but pray, and it will be God's will," that would be a different story. But as a supplementary action that no one is compelled to join, I don't have a problem with it.

[Wounded Bear]

Because our government has done all it can do so we have to summon the great Jeebus?

Personally, I see a TON of things we could do immediately to lessen the effect of the economic woes and NONE of them involve Jeebus.

[Marley]

This, along with his views on gays and freedom of religion will sink his Presidential hopes.

[Ice-9]

Thoughts on a Presidential candidate hosting this type of event, or what you think it will do to his race, if not the race as a whole?

My thought is that the election hopes of any Republican candidate today would be dead in the water without mouthing the proper platitudes to the Religious Right.

This, along with his views on gays and freedom of religion will sink his Presidential hopes.

Whatever effect stuff like this has on his chances in the general election is meaningless, because without it he'd never even get through the primaries.

[FootballYouBet]

Will Reverend Wright be there?

[Ice-9]

Will Reverend Wright be there?

Who can say? It's not like he and Obama are bestest buds these days.

It would be awesome, though.

[Wounded Bear]

Will Reverend Wright be there?

No, he'll be masturbating to internet porn.

[flyerhawk]

Will Reverend Wright be there?

I don't know. Is he thinking about running for President as well?

[Ice-9]

Personally, I see a TON of things we could do immediately to lessen the effect of the economic woes and NONE of them involve Jeebus.

Well, except maybe for revoking the tax-exempt status of religious organizations.

[Gmaniac]

In case you weren't aware, a Christians-only rally is happening today/tonight in Houston, led by TX Gov. Rick Perry...

I don't understand. In the link you quote from it states, "Perry sent an invitation to all the nation's governors, members of Congress, the Obama administration and the Texas Legislature, among others." That seems pretty inclusive.

Did the invitation state that only Christians were allowed to attend as you suggest?

It would make sense that most of those people who show up at a "prayer-rally" are in fact Christian. But there is a big difference between this fact and explicitly stating that "only Christians" are invited.

Thoughts on a Presidential candidate hosting this type of event, or what you think it will do to his race, if not the race as a whole?

Doesn't phase me much. As a Christian, and speaking from my personal point-of-view, I would say it seems a little ostentatious to me.

But I'm not the master of what is right and what is wrong when it comes to prayer.

That aside: this "news" really doesn't make me either more or less likely to support Perry.

[ForWhoForWhat?]

don't care about the event and not interested in Rick Perry for Pres. Those that like him will like him more after this i'd imagine.

Strange group to associate with (the 1st Amendment interp.) while attempting a run on the national stage.

[FamineGod]

Well, except maybe for revoking the tax-exempt status of religious organizations.

You really want to turn the church into a full-fledged lobbying organization?

Addition: The tax-exempt status currently gives the IRS a hammer to bring down on churches that get too involved in politics.

Be careful what you wish for...