The funny part is they're trying to spin this as them being righteous crusaders for the Lord. Most local government is absolutely shady and corrupt, I don't care how many bibles and prayers you dump on it.

jasonvatch: What a farking hypocrite. Any preacher who leads the Lord's Prayer in public has never read the Bible:

Matthew 6
"5 'And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

"6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

...

"9 Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name."
etc.

But how will people know I'm a good person that they should listen to if they don't see me praying?

LarryDan43: jasonvatch: What a farking hypocrite. Any preacher who leads the Lord's Prayer in public has never read the Bible:

Matthew 6
"5 'And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

"6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

...

"9 Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name."
etc.

But how will people know I'm a good person that they should listen to if they don't see me praying?

Oh, there is merchandise for that. Please visit your local Christian bookstore for all your Jesus swag needs.

jasonvatch: What a farking hypocrite. Any preacher who leads the Lord's Prayer in public has never read the Bible:

Matthew 6
"5 'And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

"6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

...

"9 Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name."
etc.

Came here to say this.

EVERYBODY, LOOK AT WHAT A PATRIOT CHRISTIAN I AM. SEE HOW LOUDLY I RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LORD'S PRAYER FOR ALL TO WITNESS.

kid_icarus: LarryDan43: jasonvatch: What a farking hypocrite. Any preacher who leads the Lord's Prayer in public has never read the Bible:

Matthew 6
"5 'And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

"6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

...

"9 Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name."
etc.

But how will people know I'm a good person that they should listen to if they don't see me praying?

Oh, there is merchandise for that. Please visit your local Christian bookstore for all your Jesus swag needs.

Turn not my fathers house into a...oh forget it.

It's pretty simple. If you would object to someone from another religion doing whatever it is you're proposing, then you should probably realise that others might feel the same about whatever asshattery you are insisting on forcing on everyone else.

Weaver95: I wonder if the idiots realize that if they win their court case and DO manage to make prayer like this legal that they are also opening the door to allowing muslim and pagan calls to prayer legal as well....?

"The Commission's administrative staff will compile a list and data base of "churches, congregations and other religious assemblies" in the Hamilton County community that will be "all-inclusive of every diverse religious congregation."

"It includes non-Christian faiths," Commission Chairman Larry Henry says. "The staff is mailing out the letters today, and we believe enough will respond quickly that we'll have somebody for an invocation when we meet next Thursday (July 12).""

yep, seems like they realize that

LaViergeNoire: Ladies and gentlemen of the Hamilton County Commission, please join me in the following inspiring passage: "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn." Thank you, and may the Elder Gods show mercy on you all.

+1 Internets for you.

Karac: "It includes non-Christian faiths," Commission Chairman Larry Henry says. "The staff is mailing out the letters today, and we believe enough will respond quickly that we'll have somebody for an invocation when we meet next Thursday (July 12)."

Prayer leaders themselves will determine the content, Henry says.

How funny would it be for me to walk in there and ask to lead the prayer one day. I'd start off by chanting "Allahu Akbar" a few times, and it wouldn't matter that that's about all the arabic I know because there'd be an immediate riot.

Of for even more lulz, start off by intoning the Lord's Prayer in the original Aramaic.

I'd take it a step further and pray to one of Christ's predecessors, preferable one that has almost an identical story to his, but Christians typically don't know about. "Almighty Lord Dionysis, we ask today that you grant us strength. ....... All hail our savior Dionysis, our slain and risen God."

I'll be ok with this as long as they have to follow it up with prayers to Satan, Ganesha and Allah.

That should make them think twice but I'd be satisfied it it just makes them stop.

Keep your Christian Dominionism out of my peanut butter.

Oh also add me to the Matthew Chapter 6 chorus.

Explain to me again why religious people insist on injecting their religion into public meetings? Will God or Jesus or whoever not hear your prayers unless you attention whore at a public gathering?

Pincy: Explain to me again why religious people insist on injecting their religion into public meetings? Will God or Jesus or whoever not hear your prayers unless you attention whore at a public gathering?

Makes you wonder if they are trying to convince others or themselves.

Bungles: It's pretty simple. If you would object to someone from another religion doing whatever it is you're proposing, then you should probably realise that others might feel the same about whatever asshattery you are insisting on forcing on everyone else.

I dislike the phrase "Christian Nation". It insults every citizen who is agnostic, atheist, Buddhist, Islamic, or Jewish. Also, if a person is not content with a moment of silence at a government function, that person probably wants a chance to show off.

In Florida they'll still lead prayers before legislative sessions. The funny thing about it is that the person leading the prayer will bend over backwards to make it "non-denominational" in content, but will almost inevitably end with "In Jesus' name, Amen".

But yeah, yeah, atheists are all in your face and shiat.

Pincy: Explain to me again why religious people insist on injecting their religion into public meetings? Will God or Jesus or whoever not hear your prayers unless you attention whore at a public gathering?

People need to be reminded that America was created by God just for Americans. That's why he sent his only son to defeat the British and write the Constitution.

FloydA: "Father, there's a lot of confusion as to how we should pray," Pastor Toby Brogden intones.

In church How about literally anyhow and anywhere you want EXCEPT on the motherfarking job that is funded by motherfarking tax payers and is bound by constitutional motherfarking limits, you moronic farknugget. That's what it's for!


...If you'll pardon the slight correction...

kid_icarus: LarryDan43: jasonvatch: What a farking hypocrite. Any preacher who leads the Lord's Prayer in public has never read the Bible:

Matthew 6
"5 'And whenever you pray, do not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, so that they may be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward.

"6 But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you."

...

"9 Pray then in this way:
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name."
etc.

But how will people know I'm a good person that they should listen to if they don't see me praying?

Oh, there is merchandise for that. Please visit your local Christian bookstore for all your Jesus swag needs.

Do you guys know where I can get one of those gold necklaces with a 'T' on it?

Thorndyke Barnhard: FloydA: "Father, there's a lot of confusion as to how we should pray," Pastor Toby Brogden intones.

In church How about literally anyhow and anywhere you want EXCEPT on the motherfarking job that is funded by motherfarking tax payers and is bound by constitutional motherfarking limits, you moronic farknugget. That's what it's for!


...If you'll pardon the slight correction...

why the exception? Christian councilmembers want to have a short prayer before getting down to business. OMG STOP FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON MEEE!

Seriously, does anyone really give a flying fark about this public piety bullshiat?

Weaver95: I wonder if the idiots realize that if they win their court case and DO manage to make prayer like this legal that they are also opening the door to allowing muslim and pagan calls to prayer legal as well....?

This is how they react

Flappyhead: Pincy: Explain to me again why religious people insist on injecting their religion into public meetings? Will God or Jesus or whoever not hear your prayers unless you attention whore at a public gathering?

People need to be reminded that America was created by God just for Americans. That's why he sent his only son to defeat the British and write the Constitution.

I didn't go to Texas public schools as a kid so I never got the real story. Thanks for enlightening me.

skullkrusher: Thorndyke Barnhard: FloydA: "Father, there's a lot of confusion as to how we should pray," Pastor Toby Brogden intones.

In church How about literally anyhow and anywhere you want EXCEPT on the motherfarking job that is funded by motherfarking tax payers and is bound by constitutional motherfarking limits, you moronic farknugget. That's what it's for!


...If you'll pardon the slight correction...

why the exception? Christian councilmembers want to have a short prayer before getting down to business. OMG STOP FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON MEEE!

Seriously, does anyone really give a flying fark about this public piety bullshiat?

Some Christians apparently do. Or else they wouldn't be so damn intent on forcing it onto everyone.

I've "enjoyed" the near daily derp on the Times Free Press Facebook page. The amount of stupidity from most of the Christian Facebookers regarding this debate is astounding.

I recommend liking the paper on Facebook and joining in the discussion.

Kome: skullkrusher: Thorndyke Barnhard: FloydA: "Father, there's a lot of confusion as to how we should pray," Pastor Toby Brogden intones.

In church How about literally anyhow and anywhere you want EXCEPT on the motherfarking job that is funded by motherfarking tax payers and is bound by constitutional motherfarking limits, you moronic farknugget. That's what it's for!


...If you'll pardon the slight correction...

why the exception? Christian councilmembers want to have a short prayer before getting down to business. OMG STOP FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON MEEE!

Seriously, does anyone really give a flying fark about this public piety bullshiat?

Some Christians apparently do. Or else they wouldn't be so damn intent on forcing it onto everyone.

why are people such farking pussies? Roll your eyes at their show and move on. Public prayer is worthy of mockery but it ain't gonna hurt you.
Unless they're saying you can't participate in the meeting unless you say the Our Father, get over it.

Are they going to send a letter to every person in the county asking if they are atheist and would like to say a few words?

skullkrusher: Thorndyke Barnhard: FloydA: "Father, there's a lot of confusion as to how we should pray," Pastor Toby Brogden intones.

In church How about literally anyhow and anywhere you want EXCEPT on the motherfarking job that is funded by motherfarking tax payers and is bound by constitutional motherfarking limits, you moronic farknugget. That's what it's for!


...If you'll pardon the slight correction...

why the exception? Christian councilmembers want to have a short prayer before getting down to business. OMG STOP FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON MEEE!

Seriously, does anyone really give a flying fark about this public piety bullshiat?

I can't see it being a huge deal. As a taxpayer, I'd just as soon politicians pray on their own time, but it's not like they don't screw around on my dime anyway.
It just doesn't bug me that much, in the greater scheme of things.
It's not my preference, but I've got bigger battles to fight.

doyner: That's all well and good until they do so at the exclusions of other faiths in the public sphere. See Salt Lick Steady's post above.

this entire article is about how they voted to include other faiths now.

jso2897: skullkrusher: Thorndyke Barnhard: FloydA: "Father, there's a lot of confusion as to how we should pray," Pastor Toby Brogden intones.

In church How about literally anyhow and anywhere you want EXCEPT on the motherfarking job that is funded by motherfarking tax payers and is bound by constitutional motherfarking limits, you moronic farknugget. That's what it's for!


...If you'll pardon the slight correction...

why the exception? Christian councilmembers want to have a short prayer before getting down to business. OMG STOP FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON MEEE!

Seriously, does anyone really give a flying fark about this public piety bullshiat?

I can't see it being a huge deal. As a taxpayer, I'd just as soon politicians pray on their own time, but it's not like they don't screw around on my dime anyway.
It just doesn't bug me that much, in the greater scheme of things.
It's not my preference, but I've got bigger battles to fight.

exactly, who gives a shiat? Attention whore religious types vs attention whore Coleman. They can all go fark themselves.

Epoch_Zero: doyner: Salt Lick Steady: Weaver95: I wonder if the idiots realize that if they win their court case and DO manage to make prayer like this legal that they are also opening the door to allowing muslim and pagan calls to prayer legal as well....?

This is how they react

What. The. Fark.

When did this happen?!?!? Why haven't I heard of this before?

Goddamned hypocrites think there's a war on religion when they just can't accept the fact that the rest of us don't necessarily want to live under their idea of theocracy.

Meanwhile, in Switzerland, the particle that gives matter mass is likely found...

I'm sure you mean Fritzerland.

Weaver95: skullkrusher: Weaver95: I wonder if the idiots realize that if they win their court case and DO manage to make prayer like this legal that they are also opening the door to allowing muslim and pagan calls to prayer legal as well....?

"The Commission's administrative staff will compile a list and data base of "churches, congregations and other religious assemblies" in the Hamilton County community that will be "all-inclusive of every diverse religious congregation."

"It includes non-Christian faiths," Commission Chairman Larry Henry says. "The staff is mailing out the letters today, and we believe enough will respond quickly that we'll have somebody for an invocation when we meet next Thursday (July 12).""

yep, seems like they realize that

yeah, but would they really let a muslim prayer be spoken in their presence?

since they drafted this policy, I think it makes more sense to assume yes rather than no

skullkrusher: Public prayer is worthy of mockery but it ain't gonna hurt you.

It isn't that it itself hurts me, but the mentality that thinks it's perfectly acceptable to do so as a function of government protocol very much does lead to suffering that should be preventable.

Pincy: Explain to me again why religious people insist on injecting their religion into public meetings? Will God or Jesus or whoever not hear your prayers unless you attention whore at a public gathering?

It's a little bit complicated. For some people, it's a cultural thing. They live in a small community that has always been predominately Christian (if not out-right 100%) and including a prayer into public meetings was just an observed ritual that nobody really thought much of. And believe me...I've been to local public gatherings where a prayer was given as part of the ceremony. We aren't talking about an earnest cry to the heavens here...we're talking about a quick, dry, boring recitation of the Lord's Prayer (during which everyone in the audience shows extreme reverence takes the time to check their phone, scribble notes; etc.). Then someone sent an anonymous letter threatening legal action unless the prayer was removed, and suddenly everyone is up in arms over it. For this group, I think they see it as an attack on their culture, in some way.

The second group is closely tied to the first: the opportunistic politicians/bastards who take advantage of the above situation. All they have to do is feign outrage and pretend to stand up for the little prayer (which previously nobody cared about) and suddenly they're a crusader for righteousness with their entire voting block behind them...and they literally had to do almost nothing for it. They didn't have to balance any budgets, improve any schools, or basically solve any local problems.

several years ago, i was asked to lead a pagan closing prayer at a government conference. one of the main organisers was an old friend of mine.

i was there the entire day, and sat quietly for the opening prayer from a local baptist minister.

when i was introduced, a small number of people simply got up and walked out. no shouting, no interruptions. it never turned into the confrontation i was slightly worried about.

then again, i do live in berkeley.

my usual suggestion in these cases is to mandate in the proposal that each prayer be from a different religion, with no two sequential prayers being from the same tradition.

i just really hope some pastafarians and discordians sign up as local religious organistions with these people.

skullkrusher: jso2897: skullkrusher: Thorndyke Barnhard: FloydA: "Father, there's a lot of confusion as to how we should pray," Pastor Toby Brogden intones.

In church How about literally anyhow and anywhere you want EXCEPT on the motherfarking job that is funded by motherfarking tax payers and is bound by constitutional motherfarking limits, you moronic farknugget. That's what it's for!


...If you'll pardon the slight correction...

why the exception? Christian councilmembers want to have a short prayer before getting down to business. OMG STOP FORCING YOUR RELIGION ON MEEE!

Seriously, does anyone really give a flying fark about this public piety bullshiat?

I can't see it being a huge deal. As a taxpayer, I'd just as soon politicians pray on their own time, but it's not like they don't screw around on my dime anyway.
It just doesn't bug me that much, in the greater scheme of things.
It's not my preference, but I've got bigger battles to fight.

exactly, who gives a shiat? Attention whore religious types vs attention whore Coleman. They can all go fark themselves.

It's more than that, though. I'm a grown-up. I accept that I live in a society that is not 100% to my preference. I accept that not every single penny of "My Tax Dollar" is going to go for things that I approve of.
Sure - if I had my way in all things, they wouldn't bother printing stuff about God on our money, or praying before they get down to work - I think that stuff is dumb. But I don't get my way in all things - and neither does anybody else.