WASHINGTON, May 17 - A Trump administration-backed celebration of religious heritage on Sunday has drawn criticism for blurring church-state lines.
The nine-hour program, 'Rededicate 250,' features mostly evangelical and conservative Catholic speakers. President Trump will appear via video message, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks live.
Organizers say it prepares for the nation's 250th birthday with prayer and rededication to God. Critics argue it violates the secular Constitution.
'This government-sponsored prayer fest is exactly what our Constitution forbids,' said Annie Laurie Gaylor of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
The event lacks representation from mainline Protestants, Mormons, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and the unaffiliated, who make up over a quarter of U.S. adults.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations urged inclusion of other faiths. 'America's religious landscape is diverse and deserves respect,' said Corey Saylor.
