Prayer Day 'Hijacked' by Evangelicals, Critics Say

The application form also asks coordinators to pledge that activities they help lead "will be conducted solely by Christians while those with differing beliefs are welcome to attend."

The Jews on First effort has been supported by other church-state watchdog groups, such as those affiliated with the Washington-based Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

Americans United's chapter in Orange County, Calif., sent more than 2,000 letters to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urging him not to support events whose hosts are limited to evangelical Christians.

"It seems to say that if you're not part of that group, then you're a second-class citizen," said Stephanie Campbell, president of the chapter.

Lisa Page, chief deputy press secretary for Schwarzenegger, said the governor's office receives numerous requests each year for a National Day of Prayer proclamation and "the governor has always been inclusive of all faiths on this special day."

Among several "alternative inclusive observances" listed online by Jews on First ( http://www.InclusivePrayerDay.org) is one May 6 in the Harrisburg suburb of Camp Hill, Pa., held "in response to an exclusionary Commonwealth Prayer Breakfast."

The Rev. Paul Fullmer, a Presbyterian Church (USA) minister from Annville, Pa., has protested that breakfast's emphasis on Christianity, and has organized an interfaith gathering that will feature prayers and readings from state founder William Penn's writings on tolerance.

"What our legislators are doing is not representing us; it's representing their own particular exclusive interests," Fullmer said. "How contrary is that to William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania as a place of religious refuge?"

A spokesman for the organizer of this year's breakfast in Camp Hill could not be reached immediately for comment.