Tuesday, July 20, 2010 —
A recent event in Raleigh has me wondering just what our State Government officials are thinking. And what We the People are allowing to happen.
A minister from Winston-Salem, who was invited to open the House session with prayer for a week, was sent home after offering only one prayer. When his written prayer was read, he was told “We would prefer that you not use the name of Jesus. We have some people here that can be offended.”
The minister refused to do so and the prayer was sent to the Speaker of the House, Mr. Hackney, who replied that he could pray that prayer on that Monday, but that his services would not be needed for the rest of the week. He was sent home. I admire this man for standing for what he believes.
I wrote both our representatives in Raleigh, Sen. Bill Purcell and Rep. Justin Burr. I told them that I disagreed strongly with this and that I felt that “political correctness” was a pervasive disease among politicians today. When one cannot invoke the name of our Lord Jesus in prayer, we have, in my opinion, gone too far toward “political correctness.”
I asked both representatives one question: “Who was offended by the use of Jesus’ name in prayer in the Assembly?”
In my career, I worked with and called on Jewish people up and down the east coast. I have some great Jewish friends in the Northeast. I send them Happy Hanukkah cards and they send me Christmas cards. We respect and recognize the holidays that each belief observes. So, “Who was offended?”
I received an e-mail from Sen. Purcell telling me that this is the “general rule” so as not to offend anyone who might be in attendance. He also told me that he believes that my statement concerning “political correctness” was “a bit of a stretch.” That told me a lot about where he stands. We see things “sanitized” daily in the news, in print and in business in the name of “political correctness.” If Sen. Purcell is not aware of this, then he’s not as astute as he should be. This is North Carolina, not California.
I received a phone call from Justin Burr who stated his agreement with my feelings and he told me that he and a small group gather in the rear of the Chamber each day they are in session and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, including the part that states, “One nation under God.” They also pray and Jesus’ name is used in their prayers. I applaud Rep. Burr and his colleagues for standing up for their beliefs.
The current wave of “political correctness” that is pervasive in Washington, D.C. is spreading to state and local governments it seems. How long before it will no longer be “politically correct” to pray at all?
As Edmund Burke wrote, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for a few good men to do nothing.” We are getting close to that day, in my opinion.
So, one answer to my question “Who was offended?” is me. I am offended when the heartfelt sincere prayer of an individual is no longer acceptable in our government. I hope that you are offended also. If you are, let your representatives know your feelings.
Reggie J. Medlin
Albemarle
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