Action Alert: Ask Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to ‘repent’ his ‘Day of Repentance’

December 7, 2012 | Filed under: Action Alerts,Government-Sponsored Prayer | Posted by:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation is urging Kansas Governor Sam Brownback to rescind his religious proclamations and opt not, in his official capacity, to attend or endorse the overtly Christian event “Going to the Heart,” which is scheduled to broadcast live from Topeka, Kan., on Dec. 8 from 3-6 p.m. CST.

Brownback not only publicly declared Dec. 8 a “Day of Restoration,” but recorded a promotional video for the national simulcast, calling on citizens to “pray to God, in humility and in unity to ask for his favor and assistance in these difficult times.”

FFRF Co-Presidents Annie Laurie Gaylor and Dan Barker wrote to Brownback on Dec. 6: “If you wish to endorse religious events and religious groups, you must do so in your private capacity as a citizen, not in your official capacity as the highest elected executive of the State of Kansas.”

They also pointed out that at least 300,000 Kansans are not religious, so the sectarian proclamations exclude a large segment of the state’s diverse population.

The “Going to the Heart” event is part of ReignDown USA, “a worship and prayer movement that began on April 26, 2008, with simultaneous worship and prayer led from the Capitol in Washington, D.C. broadcast via satellite around the world.”

The organization’s mission states that “God is now calling ReignDown USA to churches, parks, colleges and other venues across the United States that need a fresh touch of the Holy Spirit and/or want to experience radical change. We’re called to cover these places in prayer and intercession, bringing healing and restoration to the people in those communities.”

FFRF asks that the governor “rescind this proclamation and refrain from issuing them in the future, and encourage him to “get off your knees and get to work.”

WATCH THE VIDEO

Click here if you cannot view the ‘embedded’ video above. 

TAKE ACTION! 

Please take a moment to phone, email, tweet and/or Facebook Brownback. Phoning is the preferred method since it guarantees direct communication between you and the governor’s office, although all methods of contact are much appreciated. Tell Brownback that he should not be issuing prayer proclamations or endorsing the “Going to the Heart” event in his official capacity as governor. All Kansas citizens deserve to be recognized by his office, not just those who feel the need to “repent for their sins.”

If you are a Kansas resident, please identify yourself as such and when necessary include your address and other contact information.

CONTACT

Office of the Governor
Capitol, 300 SW 10th Ave., Ste. 241S
Topeka, KS 66612-1590
Local: 785-296-3232
Toll Free: 877-579-6757
Email Contact Form: http://governor.ks.gov/serving-kansans/constituent-services/legislation-and-policy-issues

Twitter: https://twitter.com/govsambrownback (@govsambrownback)

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/govsambrownback

TALKING POINTS

One sentence is sufficient, your own words are best. But you may wish to copy this statement in your correspondence:

As a secular citizen I am deeply offended that you in your official capacity as governor have endorsed an overtly Christian event, to proclaim Dec. 8 a “Day of Restoration.” Both of these actions tell me, a non-Christian and nonreligious citizen, that I am not valued or respected by the Kansas government.

Please honor our Constitution by not misusing your civil authority to promote your personal religious views.

Related articles:

  1. Action Alert: Join FFRF asking Rick Perry to rescind call to Aug. 6 prayer event
  2. Kansas Democratic Party calls on Senator Brownback to denounce Lou Engle, supporter of Ugandan death-to-gays bill
  3. Action Alert: Tell your governor to say no to Rick Perry’s extremist prayer gathering
  4. Brownback Declares Saturday to be a ‘Day of Restoration’
  5. Brownback Declares Saturday to be a ‘Day of Restoration’

9 Responses to Action Alert: Ask Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback to ‘repent’ his ‘Day of Repentance’

  1. avatar Joe December 10, 2012 - 11:30 am

    It’s lamentable that you don’t agree with the Governor’s point of view. As a godly man, he want’s the best for the State of Kansas. It’s his right, as a citizen, to invite those who want to join him in prayer. The thing that you guys are trying to pull off with Church and State is completely misrepresented and does not conform to the original founding fathers statement. The separation of Church and State clearly means that the State should not interfere with the Church’s mission, not that the Church should be silenced. Therefore, every single person, that belongs to a church–pastor, elder, deacon, member– that is a US Citizen is entitled to FREE SPEACH according to the FIRST AMMENDMENT. We are not a communist nation. America was not founded by Atheist, but by people that had a profound faith in GOD.

    Reply
    • avatar Mike Daniels December 11, 2012 - 8:39 am

      He’s entitled to do whatever he likes as a citizen. He is not entitled to use his official office as Governor, or taxpayer funds, to promote his religion. He is elected to represent all Kansans, not just the Christians. Do you see the difference? Incidentally, the majority of the Founders were not Christian. Most were Deist; some were more likely atheist. I suggest you do your homework. Here’s a good starting point: https://www.au.org/resources/publications/is-america-a-christian-nation

      Reply
    • avatar JamesK December 11, 2012 - 3:42 pm

      I’ll ignore the obvious fact that you can’t even spell “free speech” correctly Joe. And those Founding Fathers you’re talking about are the same ones that said “The Government of the United States is not in any sense based on Christianity” Joe. They’re also the ones that banned the government from establishing any religion. And that is what the Governor is doing..he is trying to establish a state sponsored religion.

      Reply
      • avatar Gordy December 12, 2012 - 6:26 am

        They did not ban the government from establishing any religion. The goverment was forbidden to establish any laws that would ban the freedom of religion. Which is exactly what they are doing, with the help of organizations such as the FFRF. Organizations that are filled with people who, if someone with morals was watching television and a bad movie came on, would tell the person with morals to just turn the channel. Turn the other cheek people. If you don’t want to be a part of it, don’t watch. Don’t listen. But don’t ruin it for the people who do. Grow up!!!

        Reply
        • avatar Mike Daniels December 12, 2012 - 8:43 am

          Do tell, how would you feel if a Muslim legislator decided to use your tax dollars to promote Ramadan as a month of fasting and prayer to Allah? As for the First Amendment, have you ever read it? You said:

          They did not ban the government from establishing any religion. The goverment was forbidden to establish any laws that would ban the freedom of religion.

          And the First Amendment says:

          Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

          Reply
        • avatar JamesK December 13, 2012 - 7:03 am

          Yeah they did ban the government from establishing any religion: Hency why the first amendment starts with: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. . . WIth the 14th amendment and the US Supreme Court case Everson vs Board of Education it got applied to the states. But have fun trying to argue that a state can favor one religion over the rest isn’t a violation of the 14th amendment’s 1st clause which reads: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. Pay attention to that part that says “No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States” What that means, Gordy, is that no state can use its authority as the government to force any religious beliefs down its citizens throats…because those citizens have the privilege, immunity and right to the freedom of religion in this country….and that also includes the freedom from religion in this country. As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, –Treaty of Tripoli, 1797. Negotiated under President George Washington, Negotiated in part by Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine, ratified by the Senate of 1797-1798 without Dissent and signed by President John Adams In 1971, the Supreme Court decided Lemon v. Kurtzman which created three tests for determining whether a particular government act or policy unconstitutionally promotes religion. The Lemon test says that in order to be constitutional, a policy must: Have a non-religious purpose; Not end up promoting or favoring any set of religious beliefs; and Not overly involve the government with religion. Have fun trying to argue that what the Governor did doesn’t violate the three tests of the Lemon test. If you need your state’s government to prop up your faith for you, Gordy, then you have a damn weak faith. Can’t your faith stand on its own two feet? It needs the crutch of the government?

          Reply
    • avatar Gordy December 12, 2012 - 6:27 am

      Funny how freedom of speech is extended to pretty much anyone, except those with a christian theme in their speech. Then, it becomes hate speech and is quelled!

      Reply
      • avatar JamesK December 13, 2012 - 6:57 am

        Oh this has nothing to do with freedom of speech, Gordy. This has to do with the Governor using his official position to favor one religion over the rest and use government funding to do so. Don’t confuse the issues intentionally just because you want to pretend we Christians are persecuted in a country where we’re 70% of the population.

        Reply
    • avatar JamesK December 13, 2012 - 7:04 am

      the difference between what the Governor did and what the Taliban desire is what exactly, Joe?

      Reply

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