ABC: Is Rick Perry Going 'Too Far' With Prayer Event? Frets 'Even Mainstream Christians' are Worried
Good Morning America's David Kerley on Saturday offered up a one-sided, biased take on a prayer event led by Texas Governor Rick Perry over the weekend. The ABC graphic for the segment chided, "Prayer Controversy: Is Rick Perry Going Too Far?"
The piece featured four clips from those hostile from the event and none in support. Yet, Kerley still attempted to speak for the faithful: "Even some mainstream Christians are concerned about the event, which is being paid for by the American Family Association, which has been called anti-gay, a cultural warrior."
Kerley touted clips from people such as Annie Laurie Gaylor of the Freedom from Religion Foundation. She derided, "What Governor Perry is doing is totally unprecedented. This goes way beyond a non-denominational proclamation."
The liberal Barry Lynn, executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, was featured in video from an opposition rally: "Don't mess with the Constitution!"
How such a prayer event violated the Constitution went unexplained.
Kerley lectured that, "From a political standpoint, Perry's prayer vigil could be a double-edged sword. Appealing to his base, but possibly diminishing his appeal."
Would it really have been so difficult for the ABC journalist to find one clip of someone who supported Perry his decision to speak?
A transcript of the August 6 segment, which aired at 7:12am EDT, follows:
ABC GRAPHIC: Prayer Controversy: Is Rick Perry Going Too Far? Governor Leads Prayer Rally
BIANNA GOLODRYGA: Well, politics and religion are mixing in Texas today at a day of fasting and Christian prayer led by Governor Rick Perry. And Perry, who is seriously considering running for President, is coming under fire for his role in the event. ABC's David Kerley is back with that story.
DAVID KERLEY: Just hours before Perry's prayer event-
BARRY LYNN: Don't mess with the Constitution!
KERLEY: A separate rally called on the Texas governor to be more inclusive. [Onscreen: Sign with a picture of Rick Perry and the words, "Please pray away this gay."]
RICK PERRY: I'm inviting you to join your fellow Americans in a day of prayer and fasting on behalf of our nation.
KERLEY: Critics are complaining. In fact, atheists went to court to stop Perry's involvement in his own event.
ANNIE LAURIE GAYLOR (Freedom From Religion Foundation): What Governor Perry is doing is totally unprecedented. This goes way beyond a non-denominational proclamation.
KERLEY: They lost. Perry says this is not a political event. But for a potential presidential candidate in a campaign expected to focus on the economy, he was asked by the Christian Broadcasting Network, what he would be praying for.
PERRY: I'm going to be praying for our country's economic prosperity. There's just so many people that can't take care of their family because government's overtaxed, over-regulated over litigated.
KERLEY: Even some mainstream Christians are concerned about the event, which is being paid for by the American Family Association, which has been called anti-gay, a cultural warrior. So, it's who he is associating himself with, who is associated with the event that you're troubled by.
DAVID COURTNEY (People for the American Way): That, I think, is the most disturbing thing. These are the kind of people who have called the Catholic Church the great whore.
KERLEY: From a political standpoint, Perry's prayer vigil could be a double-edged sword. Appealing to his base, but possibly diminishing his appeal.
MOLLY BALL (National politics reporter, Politico): A lot of people that never heard of him could find it appealing. But then could hurt him down the road, when questions get raised to his appeal to a broader segment of the electorate.
KERLEY: There was some question bout whether Perry would be speaking and praying at his own rally. We hear that he will. The stadium holds 70,000. So far, they have reservations for about 8,000. Back to you.
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Comments
Why doesn't ABC ask itself if
Submitted by rbosque on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 12:30pm.
Why doesn't ABC ask itself if IT goes too far in supporting Marxism? Abortion?
Chuck Todd in a tizzy
Submitted by Texndoc on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 12:41pm.
I saw Chuck Todd fretting over Perry praying in public and (gasp) Michele Bachmann listening to a sermon on the sanctity of marriage.
Yes, no word on the Reverend Wright, but we'll get back to you....(NOT).
Isn't that what they said about Beck?
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 12:44pm.
Why am I having visions of Glenn Beck? Oh, that's right, the MSM also worried that Glenn Beck was "going too far" in his Restoring Honor rally. What's next, claims of rampant destruction and the lynching of Gays following the event?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
What if it were a Muslim prayer event?
Submitted by Red Jeep on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 12:47pm.
Would mainstream Muslims be concerned?
Would Barry Lynn care?
By the way
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 12:56pm.
"What Governor Perry is doing is totally unprecedented."
How is it unprecedented? Even Obama held a public prayer service, at 10 AM on January 21, 2009, at the National Cathedral.
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Praying in public to Jesus Christ?
Submitted by cocodrie on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 12:58pm.
That's a mortal sin in the democrat rule book. How unchristian can he get? What an insult to Obabble when the sweetest sound to his ears is the muslim call to prayer.
It's bad enough our fearful leader doesn't get irreverend Wrights sermons of love anymore.
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
In a round about way - I agree - RE: Perry
Submitted by Gary Hall on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 1:00pm.
He needs to live and lead - by example - not in this manner.
. . if he want's to win a national election.
gary
So, he needs to hide his Christianity?
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 1:08pm.
Live and lead by example, by hiding his Christianity from the public? Yea, that makes sense, NOT!
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
Good point, CobraMan.....
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 1:19pm.
Good point, CobraMan.....
CobraMan -- MB ..
Submitted by Gary Hall on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 1:52pm.
Well, I didn't say, nor suggest, he hide it - you'll note...
I'm suggesting that there's a difference in being an Evangelist and being a governor/president.
Demonstrating - even reminding - the audience on occasion of one's faith, belief, foundation is good. In fact, I believe that it is almost. Demonstrating it daily thru one's actions and deeds is also necessary.
It'll play out the way it will play out.
I'm suggesting that if he wants to win a presidential election, he'd best not preach.
(;~> gary
So, he must muzzle himself.
Submitted by CobraMan on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 2:01pm.
"I'm suggesting that if he wants to win a presidential election, he'd best not preach."
I see, he shouldn't publicly express his religious ideals and beliefs to others, which is the definition of "Preaching". He must keep them private, secretive. Is that really a quality that you wish for in a President? I've had enough of politicians who try to hide their beliefs and ideals, their goals and their ambitions, from the public. Haven't you?
The Citizens of each State shall be entitled to all Privileges and Immunities of Citizens in the several States. The US Constitution
Unless you're a fetus. The US Supreme Court
Or Anwar al-Awlaki.
CobaraMan
Submitted by Gary Hall on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 3:40pm.
I think I was clear in my view of this, in the moment. I was also clear in that I did not suggest that he needs to "hide" or be "secretive" with his beliefs.
(;~> gary
You mean preach like Bubba
Submitted by frank14 on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 2:13pm.
You mean preach like Bubba and Al Bore did from the pulpit of black churches?Or the preaching of the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al Sharpton?
Barry WHO? Where do they find these obscure motormouths?
Submitted by drsamherman on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 1:02pm.
The MSM keeps getting these talking heads from farther and farther out on the liberal loon continuum. At some point, they will exhaust the available supply and have to start hiring actors all doing their "psychotic" experience for their method acting lessons.
No, it doesn't.
Submitted by motherbelt on Mon, 08/08/2011 - 1:15pm.
This goes way beyond a non-denominational proclamation."
No it doesn't.
It doesn't come close to a proclamation, nevermind go beyond it.
A "proclamation" is an official, formal, public announcement; such as the Emancipation Proclamation, or "proclaiming" a national holiday.
Gov. Perry didn't "proclaim" anything. He simply said he was going to have a prayer rally and anyone could come.
And liberals, in a parallel to the joke about Puritans and having fun, all get their knickers in a twist at the thought that someone, somewhere, might be praying.