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HOOVER, Ala. -- Republican Gov. Bob Riley asked 700 Alabamians on Saturday to enlist as prayer soldiers on two war fronts: one in Iraq, the other right here at home.
"There is another war that is going on in this country," Riley said in his keynote address at the Christian Coalition of Alabama's 2003 Friends of the Family Celebration. "This one is far more insidious. It's one that you just can't go and attack. It's a war for the absolute soul of this country.
"God looked down on this country because this country was founded on the rock -- and that rock was our lord and savior Jesus Christ," Riley said. "And when the storms came and the rains came, the rock, it did not move. But over the last 15 or 20 years, something began to erode.
"If we are going to save this country, if we are going to re-establish that belief in God, it's up to us," Riley concluded to enthusiastic applause. "If we don't do it, who will?"
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If war in Iraq becomes a reality, Riley said, American troops would not be fighting for oil or out of imperial conquest, but "for our right to worship as we see fit."
The speech concluded a week during which the Riley administration's weekly Bible studies -- one for Cabinet officers, one for gubernatorial staff -- drew national attention. The sessions are held outside business hours.
Toby Roth, Riley's chief of staff, appeared Wednesday on an MSNBC cable news show to debate Larry Darby, an activist atheist, about the appropriateness of the study groups.
"I'm going to continue to worship as I see fit whether Mr. Darby likes it or not," Riley roared Saturday.
First lady Patsy Riley, who introduced her husband, asked attendees to pray that Darby "sees our Lord Jesus."
I think I picked the wrong night to quit drinking...
On a related note, vaara brings us some propaganda which must have been written by godless commies:
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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.