Prayer trumps politics at third ‘religious freedom’ rally

Theresa Lytwyn, a senior at Western Michigan University, reads from scripture during Saturday’s “Stand Up for Religious Freedom” rally at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo. John Head/Western Herald

John Head
Staff Reporter

With the 2012 election 17 days away, a rally opposing the current administration and supporting religious freedom took a prayerful tone Saturday.

“Stand Up for Religious Freedom,” part of a nationwide rally against the law known as Obamacare, was conducted in a chilly rain at Bronson Park in Kalamazoo.

About 100 people attended.

Where the previous two rallies featured several speakers and focused more on the politics behind the movement, this rally was given a prayerful focus, said rally captain Mindy Kulasa.

“We felt that, by now, people are well educated on the political aspects and importance of this election,” Kulasa said. “We thought our focus this time should be on prayer.”

Kalamazoo was one of more than 140 sites nationally where rallies were conducted at noon Saturday. According to information supplied by members of the effort, the rally serves to highlight religious freedom as a key issue in this year’s general election.

Judy Jones, left, and Deborah Toornman, right, attended Saturday’s rally with two adopted Greyhounds, Gen. Travellor, left, and Jack, right. John Head/Western Herald

Supporters believe the Health and Human Services mandate, enacted under Obamacare, attacks religious freedom. The mandate’s narrow “religious exemption” runs afoul of the First Amendment’s establishment clause by defining as outside of religious ministry such activities as feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, and educating the young.

While Saturday’s focus was prayer, the political importance was not lost of Kulasa and others in attendance.

“Supporters of this cause have been very active, going door to door, talking to people about the importance of this election,” Kulasa said. “People recognize this is the most important election in their lifetime.”

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