Thoughts and Prayers: The Religion Thread

Kind of!





Legislative prayers have a long history

Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives - Wikipedia

First Prayer of the Continental Congress, Office of the Chaplain

U.S. Senate: Chaplain's Prayer

 

Lots of things have long histories. That doesn't mean they are necessarily good. In the grand scheme of things, America is not particularly old.
We've seen how religion in general and Christianity, in particular, have been weaponized in the U.S. . Maybe it's time to take seriously the idea that freedom of religion can also mean freedom from religion. I don't want the government dictating how I observe Christianity, and I feel it is the legal right of my neighbors to observe their spirituality as they wish or even not observe any sort of religion at all. Inserting religious rituals into government functions serves as an unfair, bully pulpit.

In other threads, I've mentioned that lawmakers in Tennessee post and tweet random, out of context passages from the Christian Bible. Does this in any way demonstrate the ability to think beyond their own experience? Can they find some way to better understand and represent the diverse constituency they claim to serve? If you were areligious or part of an ethnic or religious minority in Tennessee, would you feel safe seeing your lawmakers behave that way?

 

Are there any Jews in Tennessee?

 

This is exactly right.

I don't think anything has been forgotten. First, there are many churches that actually are actively and regularly involved with food banks and homeless shelters and the like, and those efforts shouldn't be overlooked simply because they are never enough. They probably never will be, because the issue is how big and widespread the problem is.

Second, if there is such a problem, and it exists in people's purview enough to be noticed and to anger them, then perhaps the questions that need to be asked are, "What can I do about it?" and "What AM I doing about it?" as individuals. That is what's not done enough -- either in the questioning or the execution. Anyone can be an angel on Earth, and the hands and feet of Jesus, rather than just getting upset that "the churches" aren't doing anything about a problem. The whole idea is that we are meant to be the church.

Not easy, but that's the truth. None of us are good enough, which, of course, is another real, hard truism.

 

Other than my late Dad? Yes, quite a few.

 

Thank god.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/loca...d04840-3a3e-11eb-9276-ae0ca72729be_story.html

 

So should public schools begin the day with non-denominational prayers?

 

Memphis in particular.

Tova Mirvis has written her share of fiction about it.

 

My understanding is that her former community is not such a fan of her work. Not very charitable or flattering. Her subsequent work makes it clear she's pretty bitter about it.