Minnesota governor skips prayer day, supports separation

Church & State, Jun 1999

Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura (Reform Party) has declined to issue a proclamation calling for National Day of Prayer activities in the state.

In explaining his actions, Ventura said, "I believe in the separation of church and state. We all have our own religious beliefs. There are people out there who are atheists, who don't believe at all....They are citizens of Minnesota, and I have to respect that."

Ventura did sign a certificate of recognition of the event. His spokesman John Wodele said, "It is more of a personal recognition. There is a differentiation between a proclamation and a certificate of recognition."

That wasn't good enough for the state's Religious Right. The Minnesota Family Council criticized Ventura, noting he had signed a proclamation on Feb. 15 marking "Rolling Stones Day."

Said Tom Prichard, the group's president, "I would think the governor at the very least would give equal recognition to a day of prayer as he gave to Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones."