Comments on: Prayer At The DNC

By: Rich Kirkpatrick

Rich Kirkpatrick — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 17:59:12 +0000

Guilt by association. They are being used, like the pastors that will pray at the RNC this coming week will be used–for politics in a completely political event.

By: Jeff Ludington

Jeff Ludington — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:19:20 +0000

Bobby,
Great question, and also as was said above, it is a loaded one. I clearly believe in a separation of church and state, however Rick Warren made a great point about not separating faith and politics. So, for them to pray is a good thing to me. I do agree that the prayers were very generic and political, but probably appropriate.
I do want to know what our candidates believe, and how they reconcile it with their faith or beliefs. If you are pro-choice how does your faith support that. On the other side of the question, if you are pro-life how do you reconcile war, genocide, or whatever else challenges life. I am not saying that these things can’t be said by people of faith, but my faith drives me to answer them in ways that others may not.
Back to faith in politics: as a pastor, I don’t want the government to control my church, and I don’t want to control my government with a “papal” type position. That is what separation of church and state means to me. However, we are a country founded by peopole of faith. It says so on our money (for now), and it was obvious in our early years. However, we have gotten away from that.
I guess the real question is more about how far this separation of church and state should go. Should it prohibit people from prayer in public places? I don’t think so, but that is just me.
Grace,
Jeff Ludington.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:57:10 +0000

Those prayers were awfully political. Which I guess is okay, but does feel weird. It kinda makes me think we’re forcing God to be in favor of one political party or the other.
And it does seem like a weird mix of faith and politics. And what would happen if they tried to get someone of another faith to pray?
These issues are so complex and so close to our hearts it’s just scary!

By: Aunt Linda

Aunt Linda — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:54:26 +0000

Hey Bobby, you have asked a loaded question, near and dear to my heart. As you know, I work for the Board of Supervisors in my county, and each meeting starts with a prayer. I have often wondered why we have not been approached about prayer at the beginning of the meeting, as not everyone has the same beliefs. However, in my 12 years I have never heard anyone object to the prayer, which I must say amazes me. As far as prayer in itself, I don’t think they should pray before the Board meeting or the Convention; however, if they do, I say keep it generic. I don’t see anything wrong in praying for help in making the right decisions. I do have a problem when you start praying that “teachers will receive better pay,” as that is definitely ones opinion. In listening to the prayers that you posted, I think they were done in good taste and, in the most part, do not think they were being used as a political forum, except when teachers’ pay was mentioned. I like the closing of Joel Hunter’s where he asked everyone to close in their own faith.
Love ya,
Aunt Linda

By: alex mclean

alex mclean — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 02:33:12 +0000

Are politicians using those of faith just for the sake of votes?
YES, and I don’t know what to think either…

By: Ryan Lipert

Ryan Lipert — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:39:26 +0000

Would it have been weird if they had a muslim or a buddhist pray?