To Pray or Not to Pray - That is the Constitutional Quandary

(Photo by Brett R. Carlsen of USA Today)

I was just thinking about jokes. Have you heard this one? A Jew and an Atheist go into a Town Hall meeting and find everyone praying, and kick up a fuss that goes to the Supreme Court. Wait, that isn't funny. No and it is not a joke either, it actually happened in 2008. Most of us are finding out about it now because the Court is arguing it now.

How many times must we be forced to revisit this?

The "Establishment Clause", defined by Nolo's Plain English Law Dictionary is: Contained in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, this clause prohibits the government from establishing an official religion. It also prohibits the government from preferring one religion over another, preferring religion over non-religion, or vice versa.

The Athiest, Linda Stephens, 70, and the Jewess, Sue Galloway, 51, were in a town meeting at Greece, New York when the proceedings lead off with a prayer. Obviously the two were so offended that they had to remove themselves from the meeting and go outside.

Were they really that bothered? If so, why are they smiling? This is just another shameless way for someone to obtain their 45 minutes of fame.

Whatever the reason, the two have sued the Town of Greece and it is being argued at the highest level of judicious review across the fruited plain.

"You'll see the town government officials crossing themselves, or bowing their heads, and their hands are clasped like they're praying," said Galloway. "It just feels uncomfortable."

Hmmmm. When things feel uncomfortable to most people, they avoid them. Don't you just hate it when someone tries to ask the blessing of their God over their happenings? That was Galloway, the self proclaimed Jewess, she sounds as though she may be atheistic too but not wanting to out herself of the closet.

The reason she gave for filing the suit with Stephens is that historically, "Religion and government have not been the best combination."

Where would this country be had not the founders had enough of God in them to include Him in everything American, i.e. money, deeds, dates, and what not?

From what I gleaned from this is not so much prayer, in and of itself, that bother the ladies, it is just that they pray to Christ. Galloway and Stephens say they and others who attend the meetings are a captive audience and should not be subjected to sectarian prayers.

The justices all looked at the facts and made some comments. Justice Anthony Kennedy said he did not like the thought that government officials or judges would examine the content of the prayers to make sure they are not sectarian. "That involves the state very heavily in the censorship of prayers."

Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. seemed wary of the government distinguishing acceptable prayers from unacceptable ones. “Who was supposed to make these determinations?” he asked.

A decision from the High Court is expected in June. I have your decision right here. If you are offended by the praying of the body of people who believe, wait outside until the praying is over.

What do you think?

Who Is Your Favorite Bible Personality?

Have you ever been asked who your favorite Bible Person is, Old Testament and then New? You can't count God or Jesus (same being), besides He should be everyone's favorite.

Judgement House - Some Like it Hot !

I was just thinking, louder than usual actually. Why is it that people perceive things differently? A great example is an event produced by a local church, Christ Temple. It is scheduled each year to run through the Halloween “season” usually concluding on Halloween night.

Jonny Gomes - More Than a Good Luck Charm

If there were such a thing as a Blue Collar All-Star team, I think Jonny Gomes should be on it. All he does is give the team 100 percent every time he suits up. Oh yeah, I know some give 110, 200 or even 1000 percent. You and I both know that is a bunch of hogwash.

Look What They Have Done To My Country

I was just thinking. It is disturbing to see what politicians have done to this great country, all in the name of National Security. In 1775 Patrick Henry said to the Virginia Convention, "Give me liberty or give me death." That was a noble statement he made yet it would be an exercise in futility today. 

The Prodigal Son's Brother

            Can you imagine what the Prodigal Son's brother thought? You do know the story don't you? A man's son, the youngest son mind you, wanted his share of his inheritance so he could go out and do his thing.

           He spent the money on "riotous living" and in no time had spent the entire stash. He took odd jobs, the lowest being working with the pigs. While he was slopping the hogs he realized that the "servants" at his dad's place were fed better and treated better than he was.

          How humiliating. He had to try it his way. Ever been like that? I have. Anyway, he tried it his way, you know, sewed the wild oats and all that. Now he was going to have to go back and grovel to his father.

         Switch the scene to the father's ranch. Dad is sitting on the porch, as has been his custom since his baby boy left him. Sipping on some tea and just looking down the road toward the sunset. An evening ritual of his, in hopes that someday he would see his beloved son come back to him. As he peers down the dirt road, squinting from the sun, he notices something or somebody moving toward the house. Could it be? His heart was racing, he began to sweat. 

          Closer and closer the person came. It looks a little like my boy. Very disheveled though. Yes, I think that's him. He sets down his tea, gets up from the chair and begins to walk toward the figure partly obscured by the sunrays. As he gets closer, the man waves toward the boy. The boy returns the wave and begins to jog toward his dad. His dad doesn't wait for him, he begins to run toward his son. Finally they meet and the old man embraces the younger man. They hug and cry and hug some more.

            The father yells at all the others, "Go kill that fat calf, my son is returned unto me, let's party. He puts a nice robe on the boy and gives him a ring for his hand and shoes for his feet. Very touching indeed.

             Now switch to the field. The oldest son is looking on in disbelief. He calls to one of the servants and asks to be brought up to speed as to what is transpiring. The servant tells him that his brother has returned and his father is having a barbecue and a half. The son is beside himself.

Look what he tells the old man:

           But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" (Luk 15:28-32 ESV)

           That may have done it for the son, but I don't know if I could have bought into it or not. When you are sulking or pouting it is hard to be restored in the snap of a finger. I'm sure Dad's intentions were great, but when you are hurt you are hurt. Let's face it!  Actually, the father in this parable represents God and the Prodigal represents a child of God who has gone astray. The eldest son is playing the part of a dependable, trustworthy, immovable Christian.

            Sometimes Christians act like the Prodigal's brother. They aren't happy that someone has been brought back into right fellowship. He seems to think the man should have gotten the left foot of fellowship on the behind. A spark of ol' green eyes (jealousy) creeps up and makes the Christian's world seem a little strange. I mean, he thinks, "I've been here all along. I pay my tithes, I come every service, I do everything I am supposed to do. This man, this drunk, this whoremonger, this thief comes waltzing back in and we are to just take him back like nothing ever happened?" That's what God says. Like it or not, welcome him back and love him to death.

Eternal Insecurity

The doctrine of eternal security has been debated for centuries. Calvinists strongly defend it and Armenians just as strongly denounce it. I am not a theologian and I don't have a doctorate in anything. I do however have a basic knowledge of reading. I mean something either says something or it doesn't. Can you feel me? Seriously, if I write a sentence and say , "the sky is blue".