Many politicians refuse to stand up for the separation of church and state because it means standing up against popular measures. The town council of Belvidere, New Jersey, however, did just that when they voted 4-2 not to publicly support the upcoming National Day of Prayer.

Katherine Blok writes for The Express-Times in New Jersey:

Mayor Charlie Liegel, a Catholic, said he is not opposed to prayer but is concerned about the separation of church and state. Liegel said he consulted with town attorney Brian Smith and called the organizers of the prayer day which is scheduled for May 6. ... Councilman Ben Ritter voiced opposition to the prospect of council supporting a prayer day. "I fiercely believe in the separation of church and state. I will put my life on the line to protect the separation of church and state," he said. "I don't think government has the right to do something like this (prayer day), whether it's Belvidere or the United States of America."

I don't think that there are many local governments in America willing to do this. Anyone who tries would be painted as being opposed to prayer rather than opposed to the government endorsement of prayers. I have to wonder, though, about the faith of anyone who thinks that the government needs to tell people when to pray.

Read More:

• Secularism 101
• Separation of Church and State 101
• Government Chaplains