"Justice Sunday II -- God Save the United States and This Honorable Court!" is a follow-up to an event in April that denounced Democrats for blocking judicial nominees. It is sponsored by the Washington-based Family Research Council with support from other conservative groups.
It will take place at the 7,000-member Two Rivers Baptist Church in Nashville, pastored by Jerry Sutton, first vice president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant denomination, and will be televised nationally.
"A number of judges ... have been pushing a social agenda on issues such as life and marriage and religious freedom, and the Supreme Court, being the very last word when it comes to judicial situations, plays a very important role," said Tom McClusky, director of government affairs for the Family Research Council.
Also scheduled to attend are former Sen. Zell Miller, D-Ga.; Chuck Colson of Prison Fellowship Ministries; Bill Donohue of the Catholic League; and Ted Haggard of the National Association of Evangelicals. James Dobson of the Colorado-based Focus on the Family is expected to address the gathering via satellite.
The event will be broadcast live by satellite to churches across the country, and it will be carried by hundreds of Christian radio and TV stations, as well as on the Internet.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, who spoke at the April event, will be absent this time as the Senate prepares for its confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee John Roberts. The hearings are scheduled to begin Sept. 6. If confirmed, Roberts would replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.
"Justice Sunday II" has spawned criticism from some religious groups, including the National Council of Churches and the Washington-based Interfaith Alliance.
A "counter-event" protesting "Justice Sunday II" is also scheduled for Sunday in Nashville.
