Church hosts alternative to Perry prayer rally

HOUSTON (ABP) — A Baptist church will serve as host site to an
ecumenical event formed in response to “The Response”—the prayer rally
Gov. Rick Perry initiated at Houston's Reliant Stadium.

Americans United for Separation of Church & State and the American
Civil Liberties Union of Texas are sponsoring the “Family, Faith and
Freedom” celebration from 7 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 5 at Mount Ararat Baptist
Church, 5801 W. Montgomery Rd., in Houston.

“This event unites us in our conviction that government should have no
favorite theology and that it must always strive to ensure that all
citizens -- Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, atheists and
others -- are full and equal partners in the public square,” said Barry
Lynn, executive director of Americans United and a featured speaker at
the gathering.