By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-980685.mp3
Dallas, TX – Numerous religious groups are condemning tomorrow's day of prayer which Governor Rick Perry helped organize. They say the Governor represents a diverse state but is backing an event called "The Response," that promotes one extreme religious perspective. KERA's Shelley Kofler reports the backlash comes as Perry moves closer to running for President.
Thursday afternoon, in searing triple-digit heat, about a dozen clergy representing the Dallas Area Christian Progressive Alliance, gathered on a downtown plaza.
Rev. Eric Folkerth: Gracious and loving God, we have gathered here this day to express our agreement that repentence is needed.
The group, with pastors from more than 30 denominations, suggests it's Governor Perry who needs to repent, for supporting policies that neglect the poor and for aligning himself with some Evangelical leaders who reject people of other faiths.
Kim Batchelor says the Christian-only service at Houston's 70,000 seat Reliant Stadium, violates Jesus's teachings.
Batchelor: Definitely the fact that our brothers and sisters of other faiths are excluded and seem to be by those speakers treated in a way that is very disrespectful and certainly does not reflect a love of neighbor. Our neighbors are of many faiths and we're called to love all.
Pastor Ed Middleton of Dallas's First Community Church of Christ says prominent organizers of the event have bashed gays and Catholics, and that's offensive.
Middleton: There's the sense that we have truth, it's about us, and we're going to show you the kind of prayer God favors because after all we know God favors us.
Other religious groups are also objecting.
The National Council of Jewish Women in Dallas says Perry as Governor gives the appearance or endorsing one religious group over another.
Twenty-four leaders of the progressive Houston Clergy Council sent a letter to Perry saying he should "leave the ministry to us and refocus his energy on the work of governing our state."
Other ministers plan to join the ACLU in a Houston rally calling for Perry to observe the separation of church and state.
Last week Governor Perry seemed to downplay his involvement.
Perry: This isn't about me. This is truly about coming together as a state and lifting up this nation up in prayer and having a day of prayer and fasting that's all it is.
A former Perry speech writer helping organize the day of prayer says the criticism has been misplaced. Eric Bearse says, "There will be denominational diversity. People of all faiths are welcome to attend."
Pastor Ed Middleton of Dallas believes his definition of diversity may be different than the Governor's.
Middleton: Would there be a rabbi participating then since everybody has been welcome to come? Would there be an imam?. Would there be folk with different ethic backgrounds? Would there be women involved in leadership?
While "The Response" may introduce Perry's conservative, religious values to a national audience as planned, the response he's getting from the mainstream community may not be what he expected.