Madison-based group sues over inaugural prayer

Associated Press

Last update: December 30, 2008 - 12:14 PM

MADISON, Wis. - A group advocating separation of church and state is suing to keep prayer out of the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration.

The Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation and several of its members are among the 29 plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit filed Monday in Washington, D.C.

The lawsuit seeks to block the Presidential Inaugural Committee from including prayers in the official inauguration. It says clergy have not led prayers at inaugurations for most of the nation's history.

The lawsuit also asks that the phrase "so help me God" be removed from the presidential oath of office as it's not included in the version in the Constitution.

Foundation co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor says members are "First Amendment purists" who believe ceremony excludes non-Christians.

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Information from: The Capital Times, http://www.madison.com/tct

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