Thursday Day of Prayer will feature two different observances in Decorah

Posted: Tue, Apr 30, 2019 12:01 PM

Are the organizers of Thursday's National Day of Prayer correct in allowing only certain people to lead the observance? Members of the Decorah Human Rights Commission have heard opposing answers to that question.

Two Decorah ministers—Laura Wright from the Decorah Congregational Church and Amy Larson from Good Shepherd Lutheran Church—told Commission members they are troubled by the choices made by oorganizers. Larson said the observance privileges some faiths over others. She said the National Day of Prayer has been taken over by a "narrow" organization which only represents one viewpoint. Wright said the National Day of Prayer Task Force requires organizers to adhere to a statement of faith in order to become an organizer.

Decorah area resident Micarah Mutsune said "I would treat you with kindness" if your views differed from hers. On the other hand, she said, "You wouldn't expect PETA to be allowed to speak at a Cattlemen's banquet." Mutsune said "prayer is a simple declaration of faith."

Decorah resident Shirley Vermace, who has led the criticism of Thursday's observance, said she supports the right of the group to hold the Courthouse observance, but believes not every faith is being represented. "I'm against bigotry and discrimination," she told Commission members, adding "This is not an anti-Christian crusade that I am on."

The Human Rights Commission has taken no action on the matter. There now will be two observances of National Day of Prayer at noon Thursday—one in front of the Courthouse and another at Water Street Park.