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prayer, yes; faith, no By Diogenes | October 29, 2009

Rejecting protests, the city council of Darwin, Australia has decided to continue the practice of reciting the Lord's Prayer at meetings. Showing the wisdom of Solomon, the council members reason that non-Christians should not object to the prayer, since its inclusion at the meetings is a matter of tradition rather than religious faith. 

In other words it's OK to say the prayer as long as you don't mean it. 

Lord Mayor Graeme Sawyer explains:

It's not there as a religious artefact, it's there as an artefact of the Western democratic principles that local government comes out of.

Western? The prayer was introduced to Semitic peoples in the Middle East.

Democratic? Then what's that reference to a kingdom?

Artifact?

 

 

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• Posted by: daughertyb6547 - Oct. 30, 2009 9:55 AM ET USA

  Look on the bright side: they're not mandating the Adhan. For he who is not against us is on our side.

• Posted by: TonyLCR - Oct. 29, 2009 11:43 PM ET USA

  This was actually pretty funny to read!

• Posted by: kmbold - Oct. 29, 2009 10:16 PM ET USA

  Father, forgive them their trespasses.

• Posted by: thecrossreference8142 - Oct. 29, 2009 8:55 PM ET USA

  What was that thing God said about people honoring Him with their lips while their hearts and minds are far from Him?

• Posted by: adamah - Oct. 29, 2009 7:46 PM ET USA

  Stupid, yes....but also highly entertaining.

• Posted by: TheJournalist64 - Oct. 29, 2009 6:27 PM ET USA

  When stupid people say stupid things to avoid offending people with more time on their hands than they need, it is stupid to listen to them.