Onward Christian Soldiers?
Don't get me wrong. I believe in a higher power and I think prayer is a good thing but Agitprop points us to a site this afternoon that scares the bejesus out of me.
The Presidential Prayer Team claims to be non-partisan and intends to pray for this president and every president thereafter but a look at their ministry suggests an agenda designed to support Bush's war policies.
Take this for instance from their "Statement of Faith."
They've long surpassed their goal of getting 1% of the US population to join their organization and according to the site, it continues to gain members daily. Seems to me they're dancing on the thin edge between a non-prof and a PAC - not that anyone in this administration would stop them.
The main site notes that they're not endorsed by the President, (although he personally supports their work), on account of constitutional issues. Interestingly that hasn't stopped two lawmakers, US Senator Jon Kyl from Arizona and Arizona Congressman John Shadegg, from joining their "honorary board."
I'm all for freedom of religion but I fail to see why people who want to pray for politicians can't figure out how to do that on their own, without being issued a daily script with such loaded text. It smacks of the same kind of subliminal conditioning that has done so much damage to young people in anti-drug programs such as Straight, Inc. This organization blurs the line between church and state in dangerous ways that will only become apparent when it's too late.
As Agitprop notes, "When the theocrats take over the government after the new Supreme Court effectually merges church and state, will our children be forced to pray for war criminals in public schools?"
Does that sound far-fetched? Consider this. The group is allowed to distribute its materials to our soldiers in Iraq, including pamphlets with tear sheets to be sent to the President, pledging to pray for his welfare. I'd be willing to bet money that Buddhists and Jehovah's Witnesses don't get the same privilege. Sounds like the first step to state sponsored religion to me.
The Presidential Prayer Team claims to be non-partisan and intends to pray for this president and every president thereafter but a look at their ministry suggests an agenda designed to support Bush's war policies.
Take this for instance from their "Statement of Faith."
We believe in the mission of the Church to go to all the world and make disciples of all nations.And this from their even more frightening affiliate site, The Presidential Prayer Team for Kids that asks children to:
Pray that God will guide the President as he chooses a new judge for the Supreme Court, helping him select the person who will please God and rule justly. Ask God to help the President choose the right person—someone who has great judgment and who really understands the Constitution.Looks more like thinly disguised political indoctrination than religion to me. Furthermore, it appears to be little more than another evangelical moneymaking scheme that is collecting a lot of funds - allegedly spent on the website and sending out stickers. You have to call for a copy of their financial statement, which I didn't do, but the existence of an "inner circle" initiated to recognize major donors suggests they're accruing millions. Seems hard to believe it costs that much to send out emails on a daily basis.
They've long surpassed their goal of getting 1% of the US population to join their organization and according to the site, it continues to gain members daily. Seems to me they're dancing on the thin edge between a non-prof and a PAC - not that anyone in this administration would stop them.
The main site notes that they're not endorsed by the President, (although he personally supports their work), on account of constitutional issues. Interestingly that hasn't stopped two lawmakers, US Senator Jon Kyl from Arizona and Arizona Congressman John Shadegg, from joining their "honorary board."
I'm all for freedom of religion but I fail to see why people who want to pray for politicians can't figure out how to do that on their own, without being issued a daily script with such loaded text. It smacks of the same kind of subliminal conditioning that has done so much damage to young people in anti-drug programs such as Straight, Inc. This organization blurs the line between church and state in dangerous ways that will only become apparent when it's too late.
As Agitprop notes, "When the theocrats take over the government after the new Supreme Court effectually merges church and state, will our children be forced to pray for war criminals in public schools?"
Does that sound far-fetched? Consider this. The group is allowed to distribute its materials to our soldiers in Iraq, including pamphlets with tear sheets to be sent to the President, pledging to pray for his welfare. I'd be willing to bet money that Buddhists and Jehovah's Witnesses don't get the same privilege. Sounds like the first step to state sponsored religion to me.
posted by Libby Spencer at 5:02 PM
5 Comments:
These wackos are called "Dominionists" and they are angling for what they call a "Christian Government".
These people are just as fanatical as Islamic fundmentalists and are just as willing to die for their cause.
Don't trust any religion that promotes death to achieve paradise.
I am certain that there are some members of this group that would love to see a Christian theocracy in this country, but I see no proof of it at their website. They seem pretty sincere to me. I have given my two centshere.
I would ask Kevin to just imagine what the prayers would sound like if Kerry or any other democrat had won the last election.
I don't think you can because this site would have closed up on November 5.
It would have become the Congressional Prayer Team for as long as the republicans hold power.
None of the prayers show a political slant. Take the one asking the children to pray for the President when he choses a Supreme Court nominee, for example. It doesn't ask for someone to overturn Roe v Wade. It just asks for God to be with him, to allow him to know His will, when making the decision. God isn't a Republican, and its not the ones praying that you need to worry about.
If a group of 2 million liberals all started to pray the same prayers, and were secretly hoping for Hillary Clinton to be elected President, it would have the same effect. God isn't a Democrat either.
Well, you brought it up. Read the prayer for the as yet nominated Supreme.
This prayer assumes he will be almost
burned at the stake and axes ground.
He is implored to save us before we sink deeper.
This is a prayer with a point, the point being that the democrats are the enemy and Bush's nominees will save us.
You also keep acting like this has something to do with God.
Don't be naive, it is about power.
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