Freethought & Rationalism Archive

05-29-2003, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Mark Warner, Democratic governor of Virginia, committed a deed last week some federal judges might deem disgraceful, but conservatives should applaud.

He lined up on the right side of a battle in the cultural war.

Warner, reported the Newport News (Va.) Daily Press, �bowed his head in prayer� during graduation exercises at the state-supported Virginia Military Institute (VMI).

As Warner listened reverently, VMI�s chaplain, Col. James S. Park, unambiguously endorsed belief in God. �In this commencement ceremony, oh, God,� said Park, �culminate each cadetship with the sure and certain truth that You are faithful, that You are able and that You alone are God.�

Warner�s quiet participation in this prayer delivered a loud message to the federal courts. The day before, the governor had informed The Washington Times that he supports VMI�s practice of dinnertime prayer (a voluntary nonsectarian invocation recited each evening by the college chaplain). �While I support the long-held principle of the separation of church and state,� said Warner, �I am comfortable that the VMI prayer does not infringe on constitutional rights.�

At VMI, the governor said: �Let the record show that I understand, and I support, the unique traditions of this institution�including the saying of grace before meals.�

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The Other Michael · 05-29-2003, 06:44 PM

I'm glad he's comfy.

I find it interesting that "nonsectarian" usually seems to actually mean "blatantly Abrahamic religion".

Or do they actually do something along the lines of:

Quote:

"Insofar as I may be heard by anything, which may or may not care what I say, I ask, if it matters, that you be forgiven for anything you may have done or failed to do which requires forgiveness. Conversely, if not forgiveness but something else may be required to ensure any possible benefit for which you may be eligible after the destruction of your body, I ask that this, whatever it may be, be granted or withheld, as the case may be, in such a manner as to ensure your receiving said benefit. I ask this in my capacity as your elected intermediary between yourself and that which may not be yourself, but which may have an interest in the matter of your receiving as much as it is possible for you to receive of this [benefit], and which may in some way be influenced by this ceremony. Amen."

(from Roger Zelazny's "Creatures of Light and Darkness" , Avon, 1986)

Now THAT is a non-sectarian prayer.

cheers,
Michael

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