'Out of the great religious heritage of this country, with its assertion that all persons are children of God, came the inspired vision of a nation where the rights and freedoms of citizens would be protected and preserved - even from the majority,' said Bishop Gene Robinson.

WASHINGTON - On this National Day of Prayer, the Human Rights Campaign encourages the recognition of a diverse range of faith voices, including the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and allied community, on this special day. Bishop Gene Robinson and Rabbi Jack Moline made the following statements in honor of the day:

The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Robinson, Bishop of New Hampshire:

&quotOut of the great religious heritage of this country, with its assertion that all persons are children of God, came the inspired vision of a nation where the rights and freedoms of citizens would be protected and preserved - even from the majority. Over the years, the reality of citizenship has grown closer to the vision, as the rights of white property owners (recognized in the Constitution) were extended to non-property owners, women and people of color.

&quotNow we engage in the struggle for full and equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people. As people of faith, we claim our equal and rightful place before God as citizens of the United States, we claim our equal and rightful place in this wonderful country of ours. On this National Day of Prayer, we join gay and lesbian people of faith in praying to the God who loves all God's children equally, for a nation which values and protects the rights of all its citizens.&quot

Rabbi Jack Moline, of Agudas Achim Congregation in Alexandria, Va.:

&quotOne of the earliest teachings of the Talmud affirms that the world stands on three foundations: sacred learning, worship and compassionate acts. In contemporary context, those three foundations are knowledge, prayer and activism. Neglect any one of the three and world will soon topple. But strengthen them all, and all will be right with the world. May the National Day of Prayer remind us of the importance of all three foundations to every human rights campaign.&quot

&quotThe often unheard majority of people of faith believe in fairness and equality for all,&quot said HRC Foundation Vice President Winnie Stachelberg.

&quotWe hope on this National Day of Prayer these voices are recognized and featured in the media. We also encourage the many fair-minded people of faith - be they Christian, Muslim, Jewish or of another faith - to step forward today and make your voices heard.&quot