Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 04-29-2002, 09:18 PM

<a href="http://www.au.org/press/pr042902.htm" target="_blank">http://www.au.org/press/pr042902.htm</a>

Quote:

. . .
This year's NDP features an official "prayer for America," written by United States Senate Chaplain Lloyd Ogilvie, a taxpayer-financed minister for the Senate. Ogilvie's prayer, which Religious Right activists are urging all Americans to recite at 12 noon on May 2, was written to "acknowledge [God's] sovereignty."

The prayer asks God to grant "supernatural powers" to the president and Congress, and commits the nation "to be faithful to You as Sovereign of our land and as our personal Lord and Savior."

"We rededicate ourselves to be one nation under You," Ogilvie's prayer says. "In You we trust. We reaffirm our accountability to You, to the absolutes of Your Commandments, and to justice in our society."

For AU's Lynn, it's troubling that a chaplain, whose salary is financed by taxpayers, would presume to write official prayers for America.

"It's bad enough that the government is telling people when to pray," Lynn said. "It's even worse when a publicly-funded minister is telling us what to pray. For anyone who takes the First Amendment seriously, this fusion of religion and government is indefensible."

. . .

AU's Lynn noted that this year's NDP has been given a theme by the NDP Task Force: "America United Under God."

"Americans and their government are united, but under the Constitution, not some kind of government-imposed religion," Lynn concluded. "On May 2, people should pray, or not pray, based on their beliefs. It simply isn't any of the government's business."

Lynn also pointed out that key Founding Fathers such as James Madison and Thomas Jefferson thought official prayer day proclamations were violations of the constitutional separation of church and state.

Madison, the "Father of the Constitution," said such proclamations are inappropriate. "They seem to imply and certainly nourish the erroneous idea of a national religion," Madison wrote in a collection of writings referred to as the "Detached Memoranda." Jefferson made similar arguments and refused to issue prayer proclamations during his presidency.

<a href="http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/articles/article4Prayer.cfm" target="_blank">Full text of government-composed prayer</a>

"Bless our President, Congress, and all our leaders with supernatural power." I guess we will be seeing them leaping tall buildings in a single bound?

And this is truly a source of disunity:

<a href="http://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/prayfor/index.cfm" target="_blank">National Day of Prayer Taskforce Reasons for praying</a>

(notice numerous references to the Christian Bible)

Quote:

Why Pray?
We need to pray because the Bible commands us to (Matthew 6:5; Romans 12:12; 1 Thess 5:17). Prayer is how we communicate with God and participate in His works. It grants us the privilege of experiencing God, keeps us humble before Him, strengthens the bonds between believers and can succeed where other means have failed.

Why Pray For Our Nation?
God answers the prayers of His people, and in 2 Chronicles 7:14, He specifically emphasizes the importance of praying for our nation. Ask the Lord to bring about spiritual renewal across America. Pray that people will turn to Him and seek His will for our land.

Why Pray For Our Leaders?
The Bible instructs us to pray for "all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness" (1 Timothy 2:2). Pray that our leaders will seek God and endeavor to serve Him in a manner that is worthy of their positions of influence.

Why Pray For Our Communities?
Intercessory prayer has the power to change the place where you live. It is time that we took back our communities for the sake of God's Kingdom and covered them with our humble petitions. Pray for your own city or town, asking God to bless your efforts to reclaim your neighborhood in His name.

. . .

To speak with someone about the National Day of Prayer Task Force call: 1-800-444-8828

Daggah · 04-30-2002, 03:23 AM

What's the verse about praying in private? It's Matthews something or other, right?

hezekiah jones · 04-30-2002, 03:50 AM

Stickers for Prayer Warriors
Looking for the perfect companion for a local National Day of Prayer event or a church prayer gathering?
These I Prayed Stickers let the world know where your priorities are. These colorful decals are an eye-catching way to provoke conversation and promote a NDP event or a prayer-related activity at your church.

$5 (roll of 100)

hezekiah jones · 04-30-2002, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Daggah:
It's Matthews something or other, right?

<a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=MATT+6:5-7&language=english&version=KJV&showfn=on&showxref= on" target="_blank">Dave Matthews 6:5-7</a>.

Godless Dave · 04-30-2002, 05:17 AM

Well it's too late to distribute a bunch of stickers that say "I didn't pray."

Captain Pedantic · 04-30-2002, 06:33 AM

It's my birthday that day. I don't think I'll be praying.

PopeInTheWoods · 04-30-2002, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Godless Dave:
Well it's too late to distribute a bunch of stickers that say "I didn't pray."

Or maybe "I Thought".

Automaton · 04-30-2002, 11:08 AM

It's not long now before we have Hate Week.

Skid · 04-30-2002, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hezekiahjones:
<a href="http://bible.gospelcom.net/cgi-bin/bible?passage=MATT+6:5-7&language=english&version=KJV&showfn=on&showxref= on" target="_blank">Dave Matthews 6:5-7</a>.

The Gospel according to Dave Matthews??

Maybe if I pray real hard, he will send me some concert tickets...

This NDP nonsense even pisses off some Christians, too:
<a href="http://www.sageavenuebaptist.org/sabcservices/radio_ministry.htm" target="_blank">The "official" prayer was changed, but still falls short of exalting Jesus' name</a>

I guess the "official" prayer isn't "Jeezuz-y" enough for some?

From tbe "History of the National Day of Prayer":

Quote:

The National Day of Prayer belongs to all Americans. It is a day that transcends differences, bringing together citizens from all backgrounds. Mrs. Shirley Dobson, NDP chairman, reminds us: "We have lost many of our freedoms in America because we have been asleep. I feel if we do not become involved and support the annual National Day or Prayer, we could end up forfeiting this freedom, too."

Evolved · 04-30-2002, 04:02 PM

In Minot the prayers will be held on the steps of the Ward County Courthouse. I cannot see why it has to be there instead of a church/churches, an auditorium or something.

That's a blatant disregard for Seperation of Church and State.

[ April 30, 2002: Message edited by: Evolved ]

04-30-2002, 04:02 PM	#10
Evolved Regular Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Fargo ND Posts: 261	In Minot the prayers will be held on the steps of the Ward County Courthouse. I cannot see why it has to be there instead of a church/churches, an auditorium or something. That's a blatant disregard for Seperation of Church and State. [ April 30, 2002: Message edited by: Evolved ]</p>

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04-30-2002, 03:23 AM	#2
Daggah Banned Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Deployed to Kosovo Posts: 4,314	What's the verse about praying in private? It's Matthews something or other, right?

04-30-2002, 03:50 AM	#3
hezekiah jones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WI Posts: 4,357	Stickers for Prayer Warriors Looking for the perfect companion for a local National Day of Prayer event or a church prayer gathering? These I Prayed Stickers let the world know where your priorities are. These colorful decals are an eye-catching way to provoke conversation and promote a NDP event or a prayer-related activity at your church. $5 (roll of 100)

04-30-2002, 05:17 AM	#5
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	Well it's too late to distribute a bunch of stickers that say "I didn't pray."

04-30-2002, 06:33 AM	#6
Captain Pedantic Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: UK. Posts: 588	It's my birthday that day. I don't think I'll be praying.

04-30-2002, 11:08 AM	#8
Automaton Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 717	It's not long now before we have Hate Week.

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