SO much for Church and (this) State…

By on March 29th, 2011 In Best Practices, Media, People

Len told me I would “get addicted” to writing for this blog.  I was skeptical, having had several other professional writing assignments over the years and all were painful. I don’t know how journalists live with the daily pressure of deadlines hovering over them.

Well, Len was right.  I do find myself constantly thinking of stuff to post.  I think the immediacy of writing for a group of readers that are all within striking distance makes it appealing. Communicating with nameless, faceless business people spread across the country is one thing.  Knowing I can make a joke about how hard it is to get into Pizzeria Bianco is another. By the way, did you hear they’re opening for lunch?

So attending the Mayor’s State of the City address at the Sheraton today is definitely a local topic. Right after the national anthem, and before the chicken d’jour, came the Prayer. It would be reasonable to assume the content would be non-denominational, a la the “In God We Trust” that’s on the dollar bill in your pocket. Right?  Wrong. It closed in a way which certainly appealed to the majority but definitely excluded the minority.  Ironic, considering the Mayor personally falls into the latter group. I can’t even begin to fathom the outcry if the roles were reversed. But the point is, the names of the groups are irrelevant. Or should be.

Can someone please explain how this is ok?

Comments

tdhurst Says:
March 29th, 2011 at 5:30 pm

It’s not. That seems extremely out of place.

Len Gutman Says:
March 29th, 2011 at 7:59 pm

David, you have been a welcome addition to the blog.

This post certainly hits a sore spot for me as earlier today I read about Newt Gingrich’s moronic comments that he was worried that the U.S. was becoming an atheist country overrun by radical Islamists (uh, Newt, how can it be atheist if it’s overrun by Muslims?).

It seems we need to constantly remind our political leaders that the United States is a secular nation and the founding fathers made sure of that right there in that little document called the Constitution. But even if you don’t believe what you read in that sacred document and for whatever reason believe the U.S. should be run by theists…how dare you choose one religion over another! We are an inclusive nation and that is what makes it great.

But to your point about today’s prayer, this is a little game politicians play at all levels of the government. Imagine if Obama skipped the National Prayer Breakfast? Holy hell would rain down on him. God Bless America and Arizona Mayor Gordon. As if, were there truly a God, he’d favor one nation over another.

Do we really think there is only one atheist in the U.S. congress (thanks Pete Stark for having the gonads to be out)? It’s pure pandering and proof that politicians care only about elections.

Think you hit a hot button David!

Jeff Luth Says:
March 30th, 2011 at 11:44 am

I’ve been to or watched countless public gatherings that began with a decidedly religious moment . . . sometimes referred by the organizers as a convocation rather than a prayer. And often, there’s no reference at all – just a spot in the program and the assumption that those gathered will simply follow the clergy in this moment of solemnity.

But of course these moments are prayers. They are anything but inclusive; they are probably insulting to those audience members who don’t happen to be in the majority. But those of us in the minority usually grin and bear it, because realistically, there are larger fish to fry.

Jim Veihdeffer Says:
March 30th, 2011 at 1:39 pm

And leave us not forget Glenn Beck’s moronic comments about the message of the tsunami/nuclear power tragedies in Japan.

See http://jveeds.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/is-there-a-bigger-moroon-than-glenn-beck/ in case you missed it.

Tony Felice Says:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:05 pm

By way of comparison, I’ve always found it interesting that most City Council meetings open with a prayer. Granted, they rotate the different religious representation, yet it always seemed weird to me.

I think many of us are getting a bit frustrated with the religious beliefs of other not only imposed on us, but often the primary defense in matters of social discourse and political persuasion. More people have been killed, persecuted, oppressed and marginalized in the name of “God” than any ideology in history.

Kathleen Says:
March 30th, 2011 at 3:11 pm

It would be nice if you actually posted the prayer itself instead of commenting on it out of context. It leaves this reader questioning the blind loyality to the writer under the assumption that whatever is posted is fact. I’m not saying it isn’t fact, just that without the actual prayer being posted all that remains is conjecture for anyone who did not attend. And that is poor journalism. IMO

David Says:
March 30th, 2011 at 6:49 pm

Kathleen — If I posted the prayer you would be showing “blind loyalty” that I posted it correctly. What I claim to have heard I corroborated with the person to my left and the right. If I went into detail those who disagree would hardly react with restraint.

Bottom line, ours is a state that likes to think it is on the cutting edge but ultimately it remains the home of Tombstone. Only our streets are filled with religious zealots and civil rights thugs instead of masked bandits with guns. Oh, wait, the zealots and thugs do have guns. Oh well. Go Diamondbacks.

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