Day of Prayer Stirs Controversy

April 25, 2008

Author: BROOKE EDWARDS

Source: Daily Press

[vvdailypress.com/news/controversy_6099___article.html/day_prayer.html]

Though all faiths are welcome to attend Apple Valley’s National Day of Prayer, so far only Christians are hosting the event.

“Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims and Sikhs are being excluded,” said Simone Kvalhein of the Baha’i faith.

Kvalhein said she called Pastor Doris Eddy of Valley Christian Fellowship, who has coordinated the event along with the Town Council for the last 13 years, and that Eddy told her there was no room for these groups to participate.

“I had the program almost completely filled by the time she approached me,” Eddy responded. “I had filled all but one space, and I told her she could have it.”

This isn’t the first year the event has stirred up controversy. Last year the day was initially taken off the town’s calendar after it became more about politics than faith.

“I don’t want to offend anyone,” Eddy said, “but this entire nation was founded on Christian faith. The reason we are a great county is because we’re Christian. In the Muslim countries, you can get shot if you’re Christian.”