c. 1998 Religion News Service

WASHINGTON _ People for the American Way, a liberal civil liberties group that does ideological battle with the religious right, has given Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., its first”Equine Posterior Achievement Award.” The bronze award, designed by famed artist Robert Rauschenberg, is a symbol of People For’s distaste for Istook’s politics, especially his proposed Religious Freedom Amendment to the Constitution. The sculpture features a horse’s derriere and back legs, accented with a straw tail.

Istook’s proposal would amend the Constitution to protect”the people’s right to pray and to recognize their religious beliefs, heritage, or traditions on public property.”It was approved by the House Judiciary Committee in March and is expected to be considered for a House vote in early June.

Some Christian conservatives have applauded Istook’s efforts to more specifically permit organized prayers in public schools. But critics, including People For, believe it will lead to a return to state-sponsored prayer, which was barred by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1960s.”We must assume that he has perused the Constitution and is aware that it starts off … in the Bill of Rights, `Congress shall make no law _ no law _ respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,”joked Texas-based syndicated columnist Molly Ivins.”Now, James Madison and Thomas Jefferson thought that was pretty clear but … Istook is still confused.” Istook, who was not invited to the event, issued a brief statement responding to People For’s back-handed recognition.”I thought the extreme left preached tolerance and diversity, but they must think those apply to everyone but them,”he wrote.”The vast majority of Americans who support voluntary school prayer and religious freedom probably don’t appreciate being compared to a horse’s backside.” People For plans to donate the award to the Oklahoma City Art Museum.

Comedienne Paula Poundstone accepted the award on Istook’s behalf, prompting chuckles from the luncheon, which was attended by about 500 people.

She envisioned what the average day would be like at a public school that had to allow students of a variety of religious persuasions to broadcast their prayers over the school’s public address system.”So each day the teacher would have to decide whose turn it was,”Poundstone said.”OK, class, today it’s time again for prayer. … Muhammad, please sit down. We had the Muslim prayer last February. … Would the atheists line up here at the door? You will have another free period where you play in the parking lot.” People For also gave some more serious awards to honor those they believe have worked for liberty, equal opportunity and minority rights. Anthony T. Podesta, the organization’s first president, was honored with the Founders Award. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Kweisi Mfume, president and CEO of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, received the group’s first Defenders of Democracy Awards.

Kennedy added to the event’s voices criticizing the religious right and efforts such as Istook’s. Kennedy said, unlike his opponents, he sees no need to change the First Amendment.”The First Amendment has never been amended in the entire 200 years of our history and now is no time to start,”the senator said.”I say to them, keep your bumper stickers on your cars and stop trying to plaster them on the Constitution.”

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