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Maybe not unconstitutional, but pointless
Q: Did the Pentagon do the right thing by disinviting evangelist Franklin Graham from a National Day of Prayer event next week? Should government officials decide who can or cannot speak at such an event? Should the government proclaim a National Day of Prayer? Was a federal judge right to rule it unconstitutional?
The National Day of Prayer has always been one of those things that make me go "Huh?" I recognize that there is a rich tradition of politicians asking people to pray; there has also been a rich tradition of pastors asking people to vote. (As long as we don't tell people how to vote we stay out of trouble with the IRS.)
But whereas citizenship is an aspect of our lives as people of faith, I'm not sure that faith is necessarily an aspect of our lives as citizens. In fact, I know that for a whole lot of people it isn't, including many who say that it is but think the Lord's Prayer begins with "Now I lay me down to sleep."
I'm working hard at it, but I'm having a very difficult time envisioning a situation where somebody says, "Well, I wasn't going to pray, but since Congress encouraged the President to encourage me to do so, then I will." No, I strongly suspect that the National Day of Prayer, much like the prayer that opens a legislative session, constitutes a certain type of gesture directed at those who like that sort of thing. (And when the chaplain is then dismissed so the legislature can really get down to business, that too constitutes a certain type of gesture to the Almighty, I think.)
I have always been surprised that the very people for whom prayer is usually specific, personal, vigorous and theologically rich are the same ones agitating for public prayers that are necessarily general, impersonal, lukewarm and vapid. No, it isn't appropriate to invite someone to an interfaith prayer service who has insulted other faiths. But then again from my theological perspective the very idea of an interfaith prayer service isn't appropriate in the first place.
(I recognize that military chaplains have certain responsibilities and I respect and appreciate their service. But I'm about as interested in a Pentagon prayer service as I am in a combat training exercise at the National Cathedral.)
I had the privilege of taking Constitutional Law in college alongside people who have made significant achievements in the field. My path has been a different one, so I'm loath to weigh in on the question of constitutionality. What I will say as a pastor is that I would much prefer that my coreligionists take the time and energy they're devoting to agitating on this issue, and spend it simply praying.
By
Jason Poling
|
April 26, 2010; 3:38 PM ET
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Posted by: DanielintheLionsDen | April 29, 2010 12:20 PM
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Perhaps, the Constitutional question would vanish it National Prayer Day were to be followed by National Don't Pray Day.
Posted by: FarnazMansouri | April 27, 2010 10:53 PM
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“I'm working hard at it, but I'm having a very difficult time envisioning a situation where somebody says, ‘Well, I wasn't going to pray, but since Congress encouraged the President to encourage me to do so, then I will.’”
I’m not sure where this guy gets his perspective, but I just don’t agree with him. Apparently he is not very familiar with US history or the Bible. I can think of many instances where leaders called for times of prayer in each, and they have been effective ways to bring people to prayer. They are generally followed by repentance and healing.
I think he needs to understand the point of these special days. Of course, dedicated people will pray, even without these days, but the days of prayer bring in other people and encourage us to pray in ways we wouldn’t otherwise. I don’t think our first instinct is to pray for our country, our military, or our leaders. I also don’t think we generally know how to pray for these things effectively. By focusing on these things, we learn about things we know little about and understand how to pray effectively for them. I know that I try to spend some quality time praying for things I wouldn’t otherwise. This increases my prayer time and expands what I pray for. These are effective things that good leaders will help us with.
If he looks in the Bible you will notice a pattern of feasting and fasting and I think it is good keep this pattern. We go for special days devoted to reflection and prayer to days of feasting and celebrating. All have to do with themes that should always be in our minds, but we have specific days to concentrate on them. These days give us special time to pray and reflect and help us not to forget the rest of the year.
I suppose if he wants to be consistent, he would also be against Thanksgiving and Independence Day. Who needs days to be thankful or to celebrate independence? Aren’t we always supposed to do these things? Of course we are, but we are human. We need reminders and good leaders to set aside time to remind ourselves of what is important. That is why we have National Days of prayer and I think we should welcome them.
Posted by: kert1 | April 27, 2010 12:38 PM
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Nicely put, Rev.
Posted by: lepidopteryx | April 27, 2010 12:20 PM
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Should people be forced to pray on the National Day of Prayer? How would you be able to tell if they were really praying? They could say they're praying just to comply with the requirement, but inwardly, they be going over their shopping list, their budget or thinking about "American Idol." Even if you couldn't tell if they were really praying or not, wouldn't they be automatically condemned to the Lake of Fire? And whey you finally get to Heaven, would you know they are in the Lake of Fire because of their absence is Heaven? Would you be allowed to actually see them in the Lake of Fire/ If you were allowed to see them, would it make you happy? or would you be sad and cry? But how could you cry in Heaven? No one ever cries in Heaven, do they/ that's what I have been told.