(No, Erika's not going to start using her real name. Some things are simply beyond the scope of providence.)
Rather, in her usual syntax-challenged manner, the nutty transgendered professor says that "some City Council members plan to remove saying the Lords Prayer before council meetings."
The New Albany City Council said the Lords Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance for over 25 years. We have heard some City Council members plan to remove saying the Lords Prayer before council meetings.
President Gahan has stated he feels uncomfortable standing there saying the prayer. Has he told his Catholic Priest about this problem with the Lords Prayer?
We have been told that Councilman Bob Caesar also stated that the Lords Prayer should be removed. Where does Bob Caesar attend church?
We have also been told Councilman Dan Coffey agrees that the Lord's Prayer should be removed. Where does Dan Coffey attend church?
Freedom Of Speech would like to ask, "Why are these Councilmen listening to the Atheist?"
Will their next move be to remove the "Pledge of Allegiance" from council meetings? ...
... Freedom of Speech feels that we need to say "GOD BLESS AMERICA" and pray for God's help more so now... than ever!
I can't believe it, either. "The Atheist" is utterly flabbergasted if, in fact, this long overdue step is even being contemplated, much less slated for timely implementation. Naturally, we should be wary, because Erika's red herrings are the stuff of local legend. As ever, she's surely entitled to her opinions, but not to facts that have been conjured from thin air, and the facts in this case are simple.
Nothing in the city's code of ordinances specifically mandates the rote recital of the Lord's Prayer as a prequisite for listening to Steve Price drone endlessly about grammaw's cookie jar, Pandora's Box and the importance of nickels and dimes in the lives of the unambitious.
Ear plugs and blindfolds would be helpful, though. Here is the relevant ordinance snippet.
§ 30.22 ORDER OF BUSINESS.
The following order of business shall be observed by the Common Council at its meetings:
(A) Invocation. To be given by ministers, if present of different faiths.
(B) Pledge of allegiance.
Clearly, there is no mention of the Lord’s Prayer. Just as clearly, the Pledge of Allegiance is required. Whether the Pledge of Allegiance in a broader sense is coherent or even necessary, or whether it should encourage the veneration of brightly colored cloth and include the words "under God," are subjects for earnest discussion on another day.
Even the otherwise clueless ex-councilman Kochert understood that to properly observe the ordinance is to ask if a minister is present before saying the Lord's Prayer. If this appreciation for the rules had extended elsewhere, Kochert might possess a legacy. But I digress.
It has long been my view that the "invocation" clause in our fat volume of typically neglected ordinances is best construed as an opportunity to bring cultural diversity within eyesight of our elected officials, who haven't always shown a recognition of such matters.
Locally profuse Protestant denominations alone certainly would be sufficient to provide personnel for 24 invocations each year, but more significantly, numerous non-Christian perspectives are available for thoughtful consideration, from Muslim to Native American, from Jewish to Wiccan, and everywhere outside and in between.
As for the "Atheist's" invocation, I have a brief passage from H.L. Mencken that would do quite nicely.
If Erika's rumor is true, kudos to councilmen Gahan, Caesar and Coffey for being, er, progressive about something.
Man ... that was really tough.
6 comments:
though I am a strong believer in separation of church and state, in theory and practice, I can not help but feel this is again another issue that would be best saved for a time when there is less pressing matters facing our city.
The only one thing more devisive than public smoking, it is relegious differences.
Should this come to a reading, this will be a media frenzy and will bring in factions from all sides from all over the region!
Agreed. That's why I'm surprised to even hear it mentioned (if it's true).
There's no need for a reading. Since it's not required by law, they can simply stop doing it. It's purely at the council president's discretion.
Frankly, the usage of the Lord's Prayer as a generic prayer is offensive.
Some things to note about The Lord's Prayer.
First, it is a specifically Christian prayer. Many Christians see the prayer as a 'generic' prayer that professes a theological belief that all believers can embrace. This is not remotely true. Jesus' use of the word "Abba" in the prayer, usually translated as 'Father,' is more appropriately translated as 'Daddy,' a very, very informal way of addressing God. In the Jewish culture of the day, God is not 'Father' and is not ever 'Daddy.' Jesus was in a religious tradition where the name of God, YHWH, was not allowed even to be spoken as it was too holy. The prayer was revolutionary and provocative, and frankly, still is. It would surprise me that any Christian would want a very specifically, very Christian prayer such as this, used as a generic prayer.
Secondly, among Christians there is even a separation of how the prayer is actually prayed. Many use the word 'trespassers' for sins. Many, and St. Marks falls in this category, use 'debts' as our word for sins. Most Protestant Churches add the ending found in the Didache, "For thine is the Kingdom..." where as Roman Catholic Churches not not.
Even specifying a version of the prayer indicates a theological statement.
Frankly, we can debate separation of church and state (which I would agree with,) but if a prayer is used, it ought to be a very generic prayer and certainly not the Lord's Prayer.
I, for one, find it's generic use as offensive.
Mr. Manzo, I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet, but you must be the most level headed poster here. I enjoy reading your thoughts, almost all of which I agree with.
I guess Erika won't have to ask where you attend church, John.
On the other hand, she might!
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