London Free Press – Editorials – Prayer issue mustn’t be left to politicians
The first is that, whether the Lord’s Prayer is retained or not, our elected representatives should be reminded — every morning — there is a larger power than themselves. Politicians forget this fact too often. When they do, they become tempted to believe they are the be-all and end-all, answerable to no one.
By Dan Brown
I know a Dan Brown, this seems like his kind of thinking. Perhaps a better idea would be a pledge affirmed by each upon taking office that they will uphold the will of the people; which is of course what they are supposed to be doing. If it was God’s will that they were supposed to be following, shouldn’t they busy themselves putting the evil amongst us to death for the wearing of blended cloth (etc.)
I know, I know. The evil leftist atheist devil!!! How dare he question the dominance of our paradigm!?!? True, Canada has more fully embraced “The Jesus” than has the USA. I think that has staved a great deal of the Overt Crazy that The USA has running around it lands with crosses on it. However, a more broad opening oath or affirmation may serve to embrace Canada’s more secular reigns (lest the scary Sharia creep show up in commons, no?). It may serve my learned friends of the cloth to remember the more eloquent quote of their favorite philosopher:
Matthew 22:15-22 (King James Version)
15Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk.
16And
they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying,
Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in
truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the
person of men.17Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?
18But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?
19Shew me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny.
20And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription?
21They
say unto him, Caesar’s. Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto
Caesar the things which are Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are
God’s.22When they had heard these words, they marvelled, and left him, and went their way.
So, what was soul-brother number one tell his followers? I like to think that Jesus was telling us that the affairs of state are just those, affairs of Men and not of God and should be treated as such. One should not worship at any alter save that of “his Father.”
This segues easily into my “Prayer is for thanks … and nothing else” discussion, but I’ll save that for another blog post.
Have Fun!