A prayer for better judgment on council
After having read your report on the City Council of High Point's decision to have nonsectarian prayer to open its meetings, I had some questions.
What is nonsectarian prayer?
To whom is it offered?
Does the council expect and have confidence in the guidance it's seeking?
Catherine Hoover
High Point
Comments (2)
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Catherine I have a few comments on the questions asked which follow.
1) Nonsectarian - (a) not affiliated with or limited to a specific religious denomination. (b) Not limited to or associated with a particular religious denomination. (c) not restricted to one sect or school or party.
2) Prayer - (a) a devout petition to God or an object of worship. (b) a spiritual communion with God or an object of worship, as in supplication, thanksgiving, adoration, or confession. (c) the act or practice of praying to God or an object of worship. (d) a petition; entreaty.
Now, with the phrase "nonsectarian prayer" defined using "dictionary.com," I hope that the phrase is more clear. You see Catherine, not everyone views the world in the same manner or, if you will, with the "same glasses." Therefore, for ANY government entity to have a prayer offered to a deity of one specific religion would be totally inconsiderate of those who did not believe as such.
A nonsectarian prayer can ask for guidance, strength, etc. Just because the name Jesus the Christ is not entreated as some some magical "hocus pocus" phrase does not mean the the Christian God does not hear the prayer. To believe this completely and totally denies the omniscience and omnipotence of that God.
So tell me Catherine, which is it?
Shalom
Posted on August 4, 2007 10:15 AM
"Just because the name Jesus the Christ is not entreated as some some(sic) magical "hocus pocus" phrase does not mean the the Christian God does not hear the prayer."
Luke 11-1,2
"Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished,
one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.”
And he said to them, “When you pray, say:
“Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And lead us not into temptation.”
D, maybe we are reading two different Books. I don't see Christ referred to as magical hocus pocus anywhere in mine.
Posted on August 5, 2007 8:50 AM