Time to get rid of “prayer” in government

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or you could go find somewhere else to live.

No, I’m here and you can’t force your religious beliefs on me.

Then don’t watch it or go away. Respect people’s religious beliefs, you bigot.

+1

I bet if it was a Muslim prayer you’d be applauding it!

No - all religions are equally crappy. None of that nonsense during official government business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or you could go find somewhere else to live.

No, I’m here and you can’t force your religious beliefs on me.

But you're more than happy to force your beliefs on others, huh?

You're a troll anyway, just trying to foment outrage. Who cares what you think. Go away.

[Anonymous]

Time to get rid of people who don’t belong here.

[Anonymous]

I’m a Christian, ordained minister, and chaplain. Prayer is a wonderful thing. My meditation and prayer practice are really important to me. Prayer does not belong in any government. Or in schools. Period. No one is saying you can’t pray. However, the government should not be leading prayer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Time to get rid of people who don’t belong here.

Seems like that’s already happening.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This crap has no place in government. Practice what you want at home but don’t bring it into official government work.

“Va. House Democrats protest opening prayer as conservative pastor condemns abortion, gay marriage“
https://www.virginiamercury.com/2020/02/11/va-house-democrats-protest-opening-prayer-as-conservative-pastor-condemns-abortion-gay-marriage/

Democrats walked off the floor of the House of Delegates Tuesday morning as the pastor invited to give the opening prayer delivered stinging remarks condemning abortion and gay marriage and said God would bring his “wrath” against those who don’t follow biblical principles.

Democrats were sharply critical of the prayer’s tone, calling it a breach of the normal protocols for guest clergy.

“It was totally disrespectful to all of us, all of us in this House,” said Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, who is a pastor himself.

As he walked off, a man accompanying Grant asked a group of reporters if they were aware that “sodomy” was once considered an offense worthy of capital punishment. He declined to give his name.

Even some Republicans said they felt the tone was inappropriate.

“I don’t know if he was ill-instructed or didn’t realize what he was here to do,” said Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell. “This wasn’t the place or the time to do all of that. … This is a time we need to be working together and not being divisive.”

“In many ways it felt like condemnation,” McQuinn said of Tuesday’s prayer.

“Most of the clergy that come here have been very respectful of the opportunity extended to them,”

They shouldn’t have the “opportunity” at all. They shouldn’t force their religious beliefs on others in this manner.

That wasn’t forcing religious beliefs; it was pushing a political agenda. Either way, it was inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

I’m not bothered by an opening prayer at the start of a legislative working day. Provided that different denominations and faith traditions are welcomed to offer a prayer, I think the practice reminds us that we’re called to something greater than ourselves, and called to do the work necessary to better the common good.

With that said, I find the behavior of this specific minister in question unacceptable.

[Anonymous]

I prefer prayer said without speaking, just lower your head and pray for whatever, but no need to pollute public spaces with this god nonsense.

[Anonymous]

If they're going to do prayer breakfasts it needs to be open to all religions. Give every religious representative maybe five minutes each so it doesn't turn into a prayer breakfast lunch and dinner with all the long speeches.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This crap has no place in government. Practice what you want at home but don’t bring it into official government work.

“Va. House Democrats protest opening prayer as conservative pastor condemns abortion, gay marriage“
https://www.virginiamercury.com/2020/02/11/va-house-democrats-protest-opening-prayer-as-conservative-pastor-condemns-abortion-gay-marriage/

Democrats walked off the floor of the House of Delegates Tuesday morning as the pastor invited to give the opening prayer delivered stinging remarks condemning abortion and gay marriage and said God would bring his “wrath” against those who don’t follow biblical principles.

Democrats were sharply critical of the prayer’s tone, calling it a breach of the normal protocols for guest clergy.

“It was totally disrespectful to all of us, all of us in this House,” said Del. Luke Torian, D-Prince William, who is a pastor himself.

As he walked off, a man accompanying Grant asked a group of reporters if they were aware that “sodomy” was once considered an offense worthy of capital punishment. He declined to give his name.

Even some Republicans said they felt the tone was inappropriate.

“I don’t know if he was ill-instructed or didn’t realize what he was here to do,” said Del. Matt Fariss, R-Campbell. “This wasn’t the place or the time to do all of that. … This is a time we need to be working together and not being divisive.”

“In many ways it felt like condemnation,” McQuinn said of Tuesday’s prayer.

“Most of the clergy that come here have been very respectful of the opportunity extended to them,”

They shouldn’t have the “opportunity” at all. They shouldn’t force their religious beliefs on others in this manner.

That wasn’t forcing religious beliefs; it was pushing a political agenda. Either way, it was inappropriate.

Same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they're going to do prayer breakfasts it needs to be open to all religions. Give every religious representative maybe five minutes each so it doesn't turn into a prayer breakfast lunch and dinner with all the long speeches.

Nope. Do that separately. Not right before or during official business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I prefer prayer said without speaking, just lower your head and pray for whatever, but no need to pollute public spaces with this god nonsense.

Moment of silence would be reasonable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or you could go find somewhere else to live.

No, I’m here and you can’t force your religious beliefs on me.

But you're more than happy to force your beliefs on others, huh?

You're a troll anyway, just trying to foment outrage. Who cares what you think. Go away.

No. I will not force my beliefs about gods on anyone in government work. Just like no one should be forcing their beliefs about whatever gods on others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
It’s in China where you get imprisoned for sharing your faith — not here — not yet.

Here we still have: “In God We Trust”.

Thankfully.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Or you could go find somewhere else to live.

No, I’m here and you can’t force your religious beliefs on me.

But you're more than happy to force your beliefs on others, huh?

You're a troll anyway, just trying to foment outrage. Who cares what you think. Go away.

No. I will not force my beliefs about gods on anyone in government work. Just like no one should be forcing their beliefs about whatever gods on others.

The funny thing is, you're every bit as evangelical about spreading your atheism as the most strident evangelical missionary is about spreading their message.

You just can't see it. Your hatred blinds you to this irony.

For the rest of us, it's glowing like a neon sign though!