Even The Christians Are Pissed About "The Response"

Rick Perry's "The Response" prayer event, a Christians-only rally promoted by the Texan governor and backed by the American Family Association, has received a lot of flack from non-Christians due to its Jesus-centric ideology and involvement of a prominent elected official.  This week, however, local Houston-based clergy, to include Christians, have signed a document objecting to the event.

On Tuesday, just three days before the rally is due to take place, around 50 prominent members of Houston's religious communities signed a statement drafted by the Anti-Defamation League condemning the event and Perry's involvement.

"'Governor Perry has a constitutional duty to treat all Texans equally, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity,' the ADL statement reads. 'His official involvement with The Response, at minimum, violates the spirit of that duty.'

"Signatories include Rabbi Samuel E. Karff, rabbi emeritus of congregation Beth Israel; Shaikh Omar Inshanally, head clergy of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston; the Rev. Lisa Hunt, rector of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church; and Rev. William A. Lawson, pastor emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church.

"'We strongly believe this statement, signed by so many of our most respected religious and community leaders, reflects the feelings of many Texans who are concerned that Governor Perry is overstepping his bounds in supporting an exclusionary sectarian religious event,' Martin B. Cominsky, ADL southwest regional director, said in a news release.

"Lawson also will be the keynote speaker at a 'family, faith and freedom' event on Friday at the Mount Ararat Baptist Church. The event is sponsored by the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and Americans United for Separation of Church and State."

It's notable that Perry invited all 50 state governors to attend the rally, with just one agreeing, Gov. Sam Brownback of Kansas.  After publicly accepting the invitation in June, however, Brownback may be having second thoughts, as his office will not confirm his attendance, only that he is going on vacation this week.

If I was in Rick Perry's position, I would be a bit worried that none of my colleagues felt it appropriate to get involved in this event.