Your Wrong Their! Do You Here What I'm Saying?

Articles posted online by newspapers and other publications often allow for readers’ comments. In some cases, with articles usually on the subjects of politics, religion, and race (and often sports), the comments show some extreme emotions and points of view.

It’s a little scary to see so much hostility, anger, and hatred directed by people at strangers who disagree. It’s also somewhat disheartening to see such poor spelling and grammar.

One recent article that elicited numerous comments dealt with prayer at high school graduations. You can read the article here.

Among the comments, though, there actually was a thoughtful statement written by someone identifying himself as “Pr. Chris.” I don’t know whether the title was an abbreviation of “Pastor” or something else. In any case, I want to share with you what this person had to say on the matter discussed in the article.

Here it is (with only a couple of spelling corrections by me!):

“About six years ago in Maryland, the high school likewise was banned from conducting a planned prayer at graduation. The valedictorian, upon completing her address, asked for a minute of silence, that each member may mark the day in his or her own way.

A moment into the moment of silence, a parent stood up and began loudly shouting the Lord's Prayer. Several others joined in, and shouted the rest of the words.

I would argue, however that they were NOT praying. They were using the words as a club against those they perceived as "robbing" them of their "rights" to "pray" at graduation.

I believe prayer is not words, but attitude and intent. The intent in this case was to use these words to express anger, not faith or relationship with God.

They used the Lord's Prayer as a weapon. The words that the Prince of Peace gave his disciples as a model for prayer, had been turned into a weapon.

This is not prayer. This is "taking the name of the Lord in vain."

To decline to participate in such displays, including the one David Waters cited above is not un-Christian; rather it is valuing the gift of relationship with God enough to keep it holy. One does not have to stand and recite verbally to pray. God knows what we intend. No power on earth can prevent true prayer. It is just as valid...perhaps more valid, in silence than when spoken aloud.

Unfortunately, these "culture wars" will continue as long as those who participate will not accept that prayer is between the individual and God; it is not a public demonstration. The courts are absolutely right to give all religions...and no religion...equal standing in the public square. But, unfortunately, too many people will not accept this. Perhaps, as Mr. Waters says, if they were a minority having to cope with the vocal majority they might have another point of view.

Pr Chris”