‘Christ’ banned from Longview council invocations

[Revmitchell]

LONGVIEW (AP) — Ministers should refrain from invoking Jesus Christ in invocations for City Council meetings, Longview Mayor Don Jensen said.

Jensen told the Kelso-Longview Ministerial Association last month that such prayers were not acceptable because they could expose the city to a lawsuit, The Daily News reported Tuesday.

“It’s not my choice to stop this, but I don’t know how we can put our citizens at jeopardy and cost our city and our citizens a lot of money,” said Jensen, who met with the association upon the advice of the city attorney.

If they can’t speak the name Jesus Christ, association ministers will no longer provide the invocation, said President Mark Schmutz, pastor of Northlake Baptist Church. He called the development sad and disappointing.

“They’re asking us not to do what we’re (called) to do,” he said. “This is the one and only true God, and so we’re not trying to be against anybody — we’re just being clear about what we’re for.”

http://blogs.seattletimes.com/today/2013/03/christ-banned-from-longview-council-invocations/

 

[go2church]

Don't understand the whole tradition of having an invocation at a government meeting in the first place. Doesn't help either party.

 

[Aaron]

A child could understand it.

 

[Oldtimer]

Don't understand the whole tradition of having an invocation at a government meeting in the first place. Doesn't help either party.

It doesn't have anything to do with political parties.

Looks like another good example of: The love of money is the root of all evil.

States loved money so much they kicked God out of the classroom in order to feed at the federal trough. Cities love money so much they'll spend it on "improving tourist business" for example, but won't spend it in the name of our Saviour.

Further, it reminds me of a Bible passage that I seem to be quoting more and more frequently these days.

Amos 8: KJB
11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:

12 And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it.

 

[go2church]

Intermingling of the two "kingdoms" is never a good idea.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Right Here In The Bible Belt!

I'm not surprised at all about this kind of stuff. I live in what is considered nearly the "buckle" of the Bible Belt in Upstate South Carolina and within the last month the so-called "Freedom From Religion Foundation" (a national atheist organization) forced our local public school district to throw out the 50 year long tradition and practice of having a student VOLUNTEER open the local school district board meetings with prayer. These are the same people that believe that teaching children about a REAL God is a form of child abuse. Under threat of a lawsuit the board almost immediately caved-in on the advice of their legal counsel who told them that it was a "clear" violation of the so-called Constitutional stance on "seperation of church and state". Our founders would choke if they ever knew that we have adopted this interpretation of the Constitution they shed their blood to give us. When this issue came up there were almost 700 people that crowded the board meeting to stand against halting the prayers. I heard there MIGHT have been a 1/2 dozen or so who opposed continuing. This world is all twisted up. Sad ...but a sign of the times and perhaps the shortness of the time we have left to reach this world for Christ. I believe it is not long before it will cost us dearly to stand up for Christ. This is just the "tip" of the iceberg.

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[Revmitchell]

Don't understand the whole tradition of having an invocation at a government meeting in the first place. Doesn't help either party.

Maybe you should read about the history and founding of our country. It will clear things up for you. You might also try reading your Bible. It would be a bigger help.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Maybe you should read about the history and founding of our country. It will clear things up for you. You might also try reading your Bible. It would be a bigger help.

Amen Rev....Right on target!......What the atheists don't get or respect is that their right to NOT believe anything is just as respected by the Constitution but that respect must be mutual and it does NOT mean anybody has the right to SILENCE those they don't agree with. All they want to do is make their "position" the "default" position...to OUR exclusion. Satan's crowd always wants to silence the opposition. Their beliefs simply can't stand when the Light of truth is shined upon them.

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[Oldtimer]

Maybe you should read about the history and founding of our country. It will clear things up for you. You might also try reading your Bible. It would be a bigger help.

Agree :thumbsup:

For example -----

We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;

and


Daniel 6: KJB
9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

 

[Salty]

When folks complain about a prayer in a public meeting, I always remember what the Sgt Major told us at NCO graduation practice. While the Chaplain is giving the invocation, no one will make you pray, but if you don't want to, then you will inspect your shoes while standing at attention.

Why is it those who demand others to be tolerant, are the most intolerant themselves?

 

[Bob Alkire]

Why is it those who demand others to be tolerant, are the most intolerant themselves?

Because they have an agenda!!!! So many care about tolerant as long as it is in their direction.

 

[go2church]

Maybe you should read about the history and founding of our country. It will clear things up for you. You might also try reading your Bible. It would be a bigger help.

I have, that's why I don't get it.

I prefer however to read actual history, not nonsense produced by those foolish enough to believe the US was founded as a Christian nation.

I have read my Bible, verse please that we should spread the Gospel by means of gaining control of the government? What it's not there? What Jesus actually says is his kingdom is not of this world.

Take off the nationalistic blinders, people need Jesus not patriotism.

 

[Doubting Thomas]

text deleted

 

[Revmitchell]

I have, that's why I don't get it.

I prefer however to read actual history, not nonsense produced by those foolish enough to believe the US was founded as a Christian nation.

I have read my Bible, verse please that we should spread the Gospel by means of gaining control of the government? What it's not there? What Jesus actually says is his kingdom is not of this world.

Take off the nationalistic blinders, people need Jesus not patriotism.

Apparently you don't. Tell me when was the first prayer given in the house of congress?

It is a fallacy that to have patriotism you cannot be faithful to Jesus.

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

Why is it those who demand others to be tolerant, are the most intolerant themselves?

YESSSS! And amen to that!

Bro.Greg:thumbsup:

 

[Gregory Perry Sr.]

And the balance is.....

I have, that's why I don't get it.

I prefer however to read actual history, not nonsense produced by those foolish enough to believe the US was founded as a Christian nation.

I have read my Bible, verse please that we should spread the Gospel by means of gaining control of the government? What it's not there? What Jesus actually says is his kingdom is not of this world.

Take off the nationalistic blinders, people need Jesus not patriotism.

g2c...While I will grant that it is essentially correct that this has NEVER been a "Christian Nation" in the sense that it is not, nor ever has been a "theocracy" such as the nation of Israel was, It was officially founded with a system of rules of law based on a discernable Judeo-Christian ethic. It is regretable (but a sign of the times) that we are moving rapidly AWAY from our roots. We would be wrong NOT to resist that move in whatever manner that God would have us too as we seek to publically declare our support for the standards of God's moral and spiritual righteousness which we seek to live our lives in obedience too. I do believe that this nation came into existence due to the sincere desire of those who came over on the Mayflower to have the FREEDOM to worship God as the Word of God and their enlightened consciences dictated to them. They fled the oppression they lived under and came to these shores so they could have FREEDOM OF RELIGION...NOT "Freedom FROM religion"! They sought to obey God...we must do the same. I do NOT believe that justifies blatant civil disobedience of an unneccessarily violent nature. We do need to stand against (publically)ungodly and unbiblical behaviour and be public (and vocally loud)in our declaration of the Gospel and the truths of the Word of God (and be willing to "take our lumps" for whatever public denigration or persecution comes our way). I admire those who engage in public ministry,street-preaching/witnessing,etc. .
All that said, as Christians we are citizens of a far country (Amen!!) even while we are also citizens of this country. We are instructed in Col.3:1-4 to "set our AFFECTIONS on things above....!" Our 1st allegiance must be to God's Kingdom but we must conduct ourselves in this one in a manner that would DRAW and ENCOURAGE folks to want to join us in the Far Country. Amen? We won't do that by joining militias and focusing all our efforts on preserving things in this world that can never last. I would physically defend my family to the death because God expects me to and if I was "of age" and able to defend this country in the military I would not "dodge" that obligation (I am sincerely thankful for all those who gave their lives to preserve the freedoms we enjoy in THIS country)....but still...as a born-again Christian we (I) must be focused on the world to come. For us...it will be a "balancing act" until we leave this world. I am thankful though that I have a home in Heaven that I can desire and look forward to. I'm eternally grateful that "this ain't all there is!:thumbs:

Bro.Greg:saint:

 

[go2church]

Freedom of religion was real but then they immediately set up a relgious system almost identical to the one that they fled, only difference was they were in charge. It ultimately was taxes and quartering soldiers that inflamed the cries for independence, among others. There was an overriding civic religion that happened to look like Christianity, but in the details really wasn't. Too many Christians are fighting to keep this civic religion that looks like Christianity but isn't instead of actual Christianity.

Jesus didn't want a civic religion, they already had that, he wanted something completely different.

 

[Oldtimer]

I have, that's why I don't get it.

I prefer however to read actual history, not nonsense produced by those foolish enough to believe the US was founded as a Christian nation.
I have read my Bible, verse please that we should spread the Gospel by means of gaining control of the government? What it's not there? What Jesus actually says is his kingdom is not of this world.

Take off the nationalistic blinders, people need Jesus not patriotism.

Quoting George Washington at his first Inauguration:

“Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. . . .

And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

http://samuelatgilgal.wordpress.com/2010/07/14/george-washington’s-inaugural-prayer/

Taking control of the government????

Brother, you've got it backwards. There's a ocean of difference between taking control of the government and resisting the government controlling our lives. Remember this thread is about people yielding to government pressure to ban the very name of our Saviour from mention in the public square.

Please describe the "blinders" worn by the patriot who uttered the prayer quoted above.

 

[Zaac]

Intermingling of the two "kingdoms" is never a good idea.

g2c, the leaders in politics used to be the leaders in the Church. they invoked the name of God before their meetings because they understood Who God is and why they were still allowed to be amongst the living.

The goats have taken over and outnumber the sheep. And as a result they too see no need to invoke the name of someone whom they don't believe to be Lord.

 

[go2church]

Because it was done before didn't make it right. It wasn't right then and it's not now.