Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
1. In God We Trust symbolizes the historical role of religion in our society. The motto also serves
the purposes of formalizing our medium of exchange, fostering patriotism and expressing
confidence in our future. The primary effect is not to advance religion but rather is a form of
ceremonial deism, which throughout historical usage and ubiquity cannot be reasonably understood
to convey government approval of religion. The motto also does not create an intimate relationship
of the type that suggests unconstitutional entanglement of church and state. Also notes the
2. Religion would not be advanced nor impeded, it would be solidified, protected where it is
1. Court recognized the traditional aspect of the practice of opening sessions of Congress with Prayer,
which has existed as long as Congress itself. By setting this day aside for optional observance, the
Court would not impede or advance religion, but protect religion against the tide of change for
2. Lower court agreed, The recognition of a Day of Prayerwhile perhaps harmonizing with
religious canons, does not promote or endorse them and therefore does not affect the standing of
b. Lower court concluded that the primary effect of the day doesnt endorse, advance, or impede religion,
because it imposed no duty upon any citizen to pray or attend the commemorative event
constitutional because Est. clause does not require complete separation of church and state
but instead mandates accommodation, not merely tolerance, of all religions; the
governments establishing the Day of Prayer will advance this goal by setting aside time to
accommodate all religions on one day, which is a measure that will bring about greater equity
for all religions. The government isnt entangling itself with any one religion, but instead it is
acknowledging all of the people who want to take the time to celebrate whatever they believe
in.
2. In God We Trust doesnt mean government is endorsing religion, its existing alongside
1. Prayers recited by local clergy recited as part of the opening of town board meetings in Greece, NY
offers a prayer- inclusive of minority religions, as well as majority (Christianity), and no coercion
with non-adherents; The Day of Prayer offers people of every different religion interested in
participating the opportunity to celebrate their religion with no fear of discrimination, but those who
dont celebrate religion have no need to go to services or take part in any religious events that take
e. Allegheny v. ACLU- crche displayed in courthouse, menorah displayed outside of city-county building next
to a Christmas tree, crche deemed unconstitutional but menorah was constitutional. Crche stood alone in a
courthouse, which indicates a relationship between the court and Christianity, but the menorah/Christmas
tree display are outside the building, and stand together with a sign saluting liberty, creating a holiday
setting without forcing religion onto anyone who doesnt want it. The displays do no more than celebrate
the holiday season and acknowledge the historical background and the religious, as well as secular, nature of
the Chanukah and Christmas holidays; the Day of Prayer isnt forcing religion onto anyone, and more than
anything is a celebration of all the good religion does in a community, secular or non secular
a. The Day of Prayer does not foster excessive entanglement between the government and religion because the
government doesnt actually call for any religious activity, nor does it affiliate itself with any religion; it
simply has set aside the day as a way of recognizing those who do want a day to celebrate their religion, the
way it sets aside Memorial Day and Veterans Day for those who wish to celebrate soldiers, and
b. Government recognizes importance of culture in life but especially in American history and tradition, much
1. In Marsh v. Chambers, the Court ruled in favor of the tradition of opening sessions of Congress
with prayer, declaring that the practice did not constitute excessive entanglement because it was
2. The Day of Prayer in question, like the tradition of opening Congress with prayer, is a matter of
strengthening community and respectone of the means used to achieve those objectives is
c. The Marsh ruling was upheld in Town of Greece v. Galloway, recognizing that the town did not discriminate
against minority religions when offering prayer, further solidifying the position that observance, if not
III. Conclusion
a. The Day of Prayer achieves many secular purposes through non-secular means. It involves religion, but that
is not the primary purpose. The purpose is respect, tradition, community, and rejuvenation. The day is all-
inclusive and does not constitute excessive government entanglement with religion because there is no actual
government endorsement of any religion, merely the opportunity offered to observe religions traditions as
well as honor veterans and strengthen community ties. No religion is either advanced or impeded, merely
b. Your Honor, the impact of the Courts decision extends far beyond this case. The Court has the opportunity
here to recognize the beneficial impact religion can have on peoples lives, and to treat every religion
equally. Furthermore, the Day of Prayer sets aside time to honor those brave men and women who have
risked and, in some cases, given, their lives to our country. Were the Court to declare the Day of Prayer
unconstitutional, the Court would not only impede the religious observance of every citizen whose religion is
not federally recognized, but also strike a blow to the centuries-old traditions that come with religion.
Declaring the Day unconstitutional would deny veterans the respect they deserve and deny communities a
chance to stand together in support of one another. Living in an increasingly fast-paced world, many people
arent observing as they might have in times past because there is simply too much else going on.
c. Respondent respectfully asks that the court affirm the lower courts decision and declare the Day of
Prayer to be Constitutional