This would bother me a little bit. (I'm Jewish) But really no big deal. Rabbis get plenty of face time leading prayers in state legislatures and other government functions. I don't hear Christians complaining.
What a time for Christians to start making trouble with Christians. We need to stick together.
You are absolutely right. I am Jewish and, if I were there, I would probably overlook the differences.
At the same time, I could also pose that question to the Christian friends: is this the time to emphasize differences? What would be wrong to pray in the name of G-d in a mixed company?
I've been at inter-religious services, and the Christian ministers alway found the unifying prayers.
You too would feel funny if a rabbi asked you to join him in a prayer for release from the Babylonian exile or some other particularity of Jewish faith. I would call such a rabbi stupid and definitely divisive.
So, you may lament that the senators did not overlook the remark, but you should also question the insistence of the minister. He says that the New Testemant compels to pray in the name of Jesus. Firstly, I doubt that he compels to pray in the name of Jesus only. Secondly, since thousands of ministers in similar circumstances found other prayers, does that mean that they are all wrong and he is the only pure one? YOu may question his wisdom in driving the wedge where there is none.
You are absolutely right. I am Jewish and, if I were there, I would probably overlook the differences.
At the same time, I could also pose that question to the Christian friends: is this the time to emphasize differences? What would be wrong to pray in the name of G-d in a mixed company?
I've been at inter-religious services, and the Christian ministers alway found the unifying prayers.
You too would feel funny if a rabbi asked you to join him in a prayer for release from the Babylonian exile or some other particularity of Jewish faith. I would call such a rabbi stupid and definitely divisive.
So, you may lament that the senators did not overlook the remark, but you should also question the insistence of the minister. He says that the New Testemant compels to pray in the name of Jesus. Firstly, I doubt that he compels to pray in the name of Jesus only. Secondly, since thousands of ministers in similar circumstances found other prayers, does that mean that they are all wrong and he is the only pure one? YOu may question his wisdom in driving the wedge where there is none.
As a Jew*, I agree 100%. American Jews have been deserting the liberal plantation in droves the last couple of years. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that a majority still cling to doctrines and attitudes that originated over 100 years ago in the immigrant warrens of New York City. With the multi-cult left having openly merged with Islamic extremists and neo-nazis since 9-11-01, I'm not sure what else is needed to bring them over to the side of their own survival, but I will keep trying.
The offended Jewish legislators, in particular, are simply adhering to long-standing leftist doctrines of multi-cultural inclusion. The objective here, of course, is not really inclusion or equality, but a veto over the expressions of the majority. So, they are "offended" at the mention of Jesus. Too bad, the Christian minister is not pronouncing policy or making law, and I think those are the only areas where such objections can be legitimately be made. The complaints reflect an underlying assumption that every pronouncement made in an official forum essentially carries the weight of law. This, in turn, is an interesting comment on the left's view of (and hopes for) governmental and official power. Comparing this to the flap over the Muslim prayer in the House provides yet another striking example of multi-cult hypocrisy and duplicity.
* This by itself is a politically incorrect expression these days, since multi-cult ninnies prefer "person of Jewish heritage" and similar newspeak, which is the main reason I persist in using it.
That is certainly the understatement of the thread. A little less leftleaning touchy "ethnic pickiness" would markedly turn down the global temperature IMHO. Actions do have consequences.
The word Jews needs to be put between quotation marks and modified to read, "Jewish Politicians". Seems to me like they have too much time on their hands.