After more than two months and 120 million barrels of oil, many Gulf Coast residents have lost faith in our ability to contain the BP oil spill.  In the face of this terrible tragedy, the Louisiana State Senate unanimously voted to decree last Sunday, June 20th, a “Statewide Day of Prayer.” Senator Robert Adley (R-Benton) explained:

Thus far the efforts made by mortals to try to solve the crisis have been to no avail . . . It is clearly time for a miracle for us.

The crafting of such a resolution toes the line of religious freedom.  Nowhere is this more evident than in the text below, which the article quotes directly from S.R. 145:

“[I]n times of great distress and need, we, the people of this land, have always turned to private, public, and corporate prayer,” it states. And “a Statewide Day of Prayer provides each of us with a powerful opportunity to humble ourselves before our Almighty God.”

Whether or not Senate Resolution 145 abrogates the long-honored Church/State divide in American politics remains to be seen, though the document’s wording does allow plenty of room for interpretation on both sides of the issue.

What is not ambiguous, however, is the message that such an action sends: we need help down here.  We need it now.

To read more on the subject, click here.