Uh, Zenster, this particular insanity comes from the House of Represenatives, not the White House.
A resolution by the government saying “Let’s all pray!” is not an endorsement of religion?
NaSultainne has a point.
From the website of Americans United for Separation of Church and State:
“The NDP was established as an annual event by an act of Congress in 1952. Originally a “floating holiday,” the NDP was officially designated the first Thursday in May when Congress amended the law in 1988.”
So, boys and girls, this is hardly something wholly new and unprecedented.
We’ve had Congressional chaplains, paid for out of public funds, for quite some time.
“In God We Trust” appears on our currency.
I’m not crazy about all this, but our government has, on the whole, been remarkably good about not cramming religion down our throats. And that’s something comparatively few governments around the world can say on a historical basis.
Now, if we can get back to taking a good healthy whack at Bush’s church-based initiatives and “school choice”…
Now, I’m not a big fan of the vouchers idea, but what’s wrong with the faith-based initiatives? As long as the money goes to any group that will use it to help in the area, isn’t that better than the government trying to fix it?
This bothers me mainly because it’s superficial, cynical show-boating. Those of faith don’t need prompting from Da Feds to turn to prayer, much less scripted outlines about when, why and what for. I suspect the devout have been praying all along, according to their individual consciences, because it’s so central to their lives anyway. I find it peculiar, to say the least, that our fearless leaders find it advisable to throw an offically sanctioned Spiritual Pep Rally.
Said Pep Rally would be redundant for the faithful, and intrusive for believers and non-believers alike. I somehow doubt Da Feds’ leadership role actually stretches to " GIMME an A"-type hucksterism in prayer. IMO the authors of this idiocy, since they’re so devout, would be better advised to spend more time in quiet prayer, seeking wisdom and leading by example.
Veb
Lets all pray that chigger gets all he posted here.
The subject deserves one or more threads of its own, but this describes some of my concerns.
[sub]Oh, man, this is gonna hurt…but I gotta do it.[/sub]
I agree with Diogenes the Cynic.
[sub]I doubt that that will happen frequently.[/sub]
It makes perfect sense. If you are against the war, than you are unpatriotic. If you do not believe in God, then you are not a real American and if you are fat, you are an unworthy human.
Let’s put all these ideas in a resolution and make it official!
Biggirl, I think you’ve really put your finger on something. There’s a subtext to this which is about manipulating religious sentiment to solicit support for the war (and for GWB, of course).
Isn’t that, like, every Friday? Or is it just me?
London_Calling, not to bum your high joining the usual gangbang on Bush, but this particular declaration has been in practice at various times since before we tossed you sorry sods out of the country. It also means, believe it or not, that William Jefferson Clinton each and every year of his presidency followed the exact same policy.
Perhaps you’d prefer to seek professional treatment for your uncontrollable left knee-jerk problem.
:dubious: :dubious: :dubious: :rolleyes:
Suuuuuuure you would…:rolleyes:
I heard that a Wisconsin representative wants to introduce a “blessed be the cheesemakers” resolution.
But I’m holding out for the “blessed be the big-nosed” resolution.
and oh yeah www.godoffmoney.com
trust in yourself!
Yes it is a great idea isn’t it? I believe it’s already been done, they call it “Sunday”.
Eve, it always seems to bother you whenever someone prays.
I was aware Clinton had been associated with kneeling activity of some manner and I’m relieved to know it involved prayer
You obviously don’t think this National Day is related to the president addressing his core (re)electoral constituency …. hey ho.
Thank you for your terribly insightful contribution to this thread. And charmed, I’m sure.
Lib, you miss the point. Speaking as an atheist myself, I have no problem with prayer in and of itself; if you want to pray on your own or with a group of your fellow belieivers, go right ahead with my benediction. But when the legislative body of this country decides to declare a day when all citizens are supposed to pray and fast, they are violating the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. According to the majority decision in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971), the effect of a law in not establishing religion may be determined as follows: first, the statute must have a secular legislative purpose; second, its principal or primary effect must be one that neither advances nor inhibits religion; finally, the statute must not foster “an excessive government entanglement with religion.” The congressional proclamation clearly fails the first provision and veers mighily close to the line in the other two.
You can pray, but you can’t force prayer on the unwilling.
X-slayer said, “This bit of trivia is not the worst and certainly not the last.”
I’m sure you’re right. But that doesn’t make it OK. It amounts to intimidation and it’s wrong. When each of these little endorsements of religion is added to the others, it IS a big deal.
Lib said, “Eve, it always seems to bother you whenever someone prays.”
It should bother everyone (including the praying folks) when the government sticks their nose into something as personal as religion and puts an official stamp on it.