Pastor Yanked From Capitol Over 'Jesus' Prayer

[RAdam]

If one is asked to pray, he/she isn't forcing his/her beliefs on anyone. If someone asks me to pray, they better be prepared to hear me pray in the name of Jesus Christ. If you don't want to hear it, don't ask me to pray.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

Yet another reason that separation of state and church should not be violated.

First of all, "seperation of church and state" is not a legal edict, but a political philosophy.

Second, the idea of "seperation of church and state" refers to the state not interfering in the affairs of the church, not to revoking the right of Christians or others with religious beliefs to practice them publically.

The state assembly is for all citizens and not just Christians, Jews, or any other. Eliminate mixing God in secular affairs and we keep him out of such unseemly controversy, as well as honor our nation.

I take it you've never studied the lives and beliefs of our Founding Fathers or the events of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia that led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution.

To the case at hand, the pastor knew the rules and chose to violate them.

And what was the rule? Did they not know he was a Baptist preacher when they asked him to pray?

 

[JohnDeereFan]

I would have to look and see if there was a precedent of ending a prayer in Jesus Christ or not. If there was, I would have to tell them I would end it the way I end all my prayers and give them the choice to resent their offer for me to pray. Then I would ask why are we praying and to whom?

I would just assume that they knew I am a Christian and, as such, would pray as a Christian.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

there is no such thing as "Separation of Church and State." That is a made up philosephy by the media, plain and simple.

Actually, it's from a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to the Danbury Baptist Association of Danbury, Connecticutt but, the sad state of education being what it is in this country, you're excused for not knowing that.

So no, a Jew or Agnostic or Atheist person should not have to sit through a Christ centered prayer in a public forum.

Agreed. They should be free to leave, just as all of the people in this case were.

Would you like to be forced to sit through a Muslim prayer or a Jewish prayer? I would think not. I wouldn't.

Who is forcing anybody to do anything?

Saw a documentary last night where an atheist was invited to live with a Christian family for a month. The show's intent was simply to film the interaction between the two "faiths" or lack thereof. At one point, the atheist brought up the argument that the word "In God We Trust" should be removed from our money. She said, "What if you as a Christian were forced to use money that said, "There Is No God." The Christian wouldn't concede the very simple point that he would not like that. His response: "If you don't like it, then leave!"

The difference, of course, is that "In God We Trust" is not an axiomatic statement of religious belief, but an acknowledgement of the history and nature of our republic.

Christ never mandated our acknowledgement or worship of Him

I'm sorry, did you just say that Christ never mandated that we worship Him???

and neither should be as Christians mandate it to a society that doesn't either.

And who is doing that?

Explain your "Wow" Rev. Please state what your feelings would be if you were present and the only prayer given gave thanks to Allah or to Mother Earth or what have you.

I've been in that situation many, many times. I don't see what the problem was. I never burst into flames. I never had a nervous breakdown. I never said that their right to pray according to their religion should be curtailed. I just sat there politely and abstained from participating in their prayer. I don't understand why atheists and liberals can't do the same.

I believe a moment of silence should be observed and nothing more. I as a Christian should not impose my belief on others as that is not what Jesus would have done.

And to paraphrase Emeril Lagasse, "I don't know what Bible youse been readin', but mine don't say that". Jesus imposed His beliefs on others all the time and still does.