As they say in Wisconsin, "Praise Cheeses !!"
Hey Folks -
The items below demonstrate a few things. One is that even the president of a statewide organization isn't necessarily very smart. Is stupidity required to join some "Christian" groups?
Mike Harden's satirical prayer (aimed at politicians and politically vocal guest-preachers) may not be reverential, but "sacrilegious"? That's defined as "grossly irreverent." I don't see it that way, even if the letter-writer does.
OK, he can see it that way, but no one is required to show the degree of reverence the "Christian" writer would like, and he admits as much, but then makes, in my opinion, a veiled threat, pointing out - as an example - the dangers to those who "cross" Muslim hardliners.
Then too, maybe his dander is up over his claim that Harden "slandered the personage of Jesus." Well, that's utter nonsense.
One can argue the degree of Harden's irreverence (moderate, gross, whatever), but where does Harden "defame" or "malign" the personage of Jesus? Or does this Christian complainer take only Biblical language literally? The word "Jesus" is used only once, and as a VERB, speaking about ministers "who would wrap themselves in the banner of faith and try to out-Jesus one another."
I can see why Mr. "Christian" wouldn't like this, but making fun of half-witted preachers hardly constitutes slandering the personage of Jesus.
Equally vacuous are the complaints that Harden "made no mention of the constitutional rights and privileges that are afforded to religious societies under our Constitution."
The piece is not about the constitution and religion. It's about politicians and preachers dancing around the arguable requirements of the constitution. It's satire, for God's sake. Can "Christians" read for understanding? must they take everything literally? Or are they just stupid?
Finally, the writer suggests that "Harden just might want to thank God that he is in a free society that allows him to write and speak as he pleases."
Well, he's got that backwards. God isn't (yet) in control of this country. Here, men and women are responsible for creating and maintaining our freedoms. Ironically, God IS in charge in the very countries the writer claims would call for Harden's death. God was in charge in colonial Salem and medieval Europe too, where people like Harden were tortured, burned, hanged and otherwise compensated for so-called "sacriliegeous" behavior.
Praise Cheeses !!
- Uke Man
Statehouse blessed by variety of prayers
Friday, October 19, 2007 3:26 AM
I respond to the Sunday Metro column "Statehouse prayer for every persuasion" by Mike Harden. As one who freely exercises his right and privilege of freedom of press, Harden ought to understand the importance of freedom of religion in this country under our Constitution.
The guest-minister prayer program is a long-standing tradition in our state. It allows for the expression of a variety of religious views representing the various denominations and religious societies in our state.
Our nation, since its inception, has honored prayer before the legislative bodies. It is an acknowledgement that religious freedom is a chief cornerstone that all free peoples enjoy and cherish. Harden's commentary indeed was sacrilegious and made no mention of the constitutional rights and privileges that are afforded to religious societies under our Constitution.
He, of course, has the same rights under our Constitution to believe as he will.
But make no mistake, if he were to write about Islam as he slandered the personage of Jesus, those nations and societies are not so tolerant, as was evidenced by author Salman Rushdie's need to flee for his life or by the backlash in the Muslim community with calls for the death of the Danish artist who created a caricature of Muhammad that many Muslims found offensive.
Harden just might want to thank God that he is in a free society that allows him to write and speak as he pleases.
CHRISTOPHER LONG, President
Ohio Christian Alliance Akron
Mike Harden commentary:
Statehouse prayer for every persuasion
Sunday, October 14, 2007 3:47 AM By Mike Harden
Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, who is not God, is wrestling with those who claim to have a dedicated phone line to him.
In particular, Husted is washing his hands of playing prayer police for visiting clergy members who want to offer daily supplications to the almighty before a House session.
Husted does not suffer gladly those who would wrap themselves in the banner of faith and try to out-Jesus one another while condemning lap dancing unless the dancer and bar patron are on separate continents.
Ever eager to do my part, I have endeavored to write an all-purpose, inoffensive opening prayer that is both politically correct and in the best interest of politics as usual.
Let us bow our heads.
Our Father (or Mother or otherwise gender-neutral spiritual omnipresence),
Who art in heaven (or Valhalla, nirvana or any other infinite kingdom or vegan paradise where the lion shall lie down with the lamb and the chicken shall range free),
Hallowed be thy name (authorized signature or X as notarized and attested to by no fewer than two witnesses, neither of whom is permitted to be a felon and/or registered lobbyist).
Thy kingdom come (please complete and attach Prayer Amendment 637a if said kingdom differs in a spiritually material way from aforementioned heaven).
Thy will be done (except where precluded by the provisions of any Ohio House or Senate bill, act, resolution, proclamation or group hug),
On Earth (offer not available in Massachusetts, Minnesota or California)
As it is in h eaven (failure to include pertinent copies of Amendment 637a relevant to alternate firmaments could render this prayer null and void).
Give us this day (specify month and year, and make sure to check all applicable boxes)
Our daily bread (tofu, rice cakes or any other staff-of-life equivalent in compliance with the federal free or reduced-price school lunch program. Please note: Goat heads excluded).
And forgive us our sins (except in the case of the Ohio General Assembly, whose sins are already self-forgiven by virtue of sovereign immunity)
As we forgive those who sin against us (unless they are a member of the opposing political party, in which case, oh Lord, we beseech thee to jab them in the eye with a white-hot weenie fork).
And lead us not into temptation (as state legislators, we are capable of finding it on our own).
But deliver us from evil (including the great Satans of lobbyists or lap dancers or lobbying lap dancers).
For thine is the kingdom (domain, province or other spiritual fiefdom against which no financial encumbrances or IRS liens exist)
And the power (though not to supersede that vested in the speaker of the House, minority whip, chairs of all standing committees and subcommittees and sergeants-at-arms)
And the glory (but enough about us, how do you like Speaker Husted's new hairstyle?)
Forever (or until the state of Ohio enacts an equitable public-school-funding formula)
And ever (this clause added by the Ohio Department of Redundancy Department).
Amen.
Retired columnist Mike Harden writes a Sunday Metro column.
mharden@dispatch.com
The items below demonstrate a few things. One is that even the president of a statewide organization isn't necessarily very smart. Is stupidity required to join some "Christian" groups?
Mike Harden's satirical prayer (aimed at politicians and politically vocal guest-preachers) may not be reverential, but "sacrilegious"? That's defined as "grossly irreverent." I don't see it that way, even if the letter-writer does.
OK, he can see it that way, but no one is required to show the degree of reverence the "Christian" writer would like, and he admits as much, but then makes, in my opinion, a veiled threat, pointing out - as an example - the dangers to those who "cross" Muslim hardliners.
Then too, maybe his dander is up over his claim that Harden "slandered the personage of Jesus." Well, that's utter nonsense.
One can argue the degree of Harden's irreverence (moderate, gross, whatever), but where does Harden "defame" or "malign" the personage of Jesus? Or does this Christian complainer take only Biblical language literally? The word "Jesus" is used only once, and as a VERB, speaking about ministers "who would wrap themselves in the banner of faith and try to out-Jesus one another."
I can see why Mr. "Christian" wouldn't like this, but making fun of half-witted preachers hardly constitutes slandering the personage of Jesus.
Equally vacuous are the complaints that Harden "made no mention of the constitutional rights and privileges that are afforded to religious societies under our Constitution."
The piece is not about the constitution and religion. It's about politicians and preachers dancing around the arguable requirements of the constitution. It's satire, for God's sake. Can "Christians" read for understanding? must they take everything literally? Or are they just stupid?
Finally, the writer suggests that "Harden just might want to thank God that he is in a free society that allows him to write and speak as he pleases."
Well, he's got that backwards. God isn't (yet) in control of this country. Here, men and women are responsible for creating and maintaining our freedoms. Ironically, God IS in charge in the very countries the writer claims would call for Harden's death. God was in charge in colonial Salem and medieval Europe too, where people like Harden were tortured, burned, hanged and otherwise compensated for so-called "sacriliegeous" behavior.
Praise Cheeses !!
- Uke Man
Statehouse blessed by variety of prayers
Friday, October 19, 2007 3:26 AM
I respond to the Sunday Metro column "Statehouse prayer for every persuasion" by Mike Harden. As one who freely exercises his right and privilege of freedom of press, Harden ought to understand the importance of freedom of religion in this country under our Constitution.
The guest-minister prayer program is a long-standing tradition in our state. It allows for the expression of a variety of religious views representing the various denominations and religious societies in our state.
Our nation, since its inception, has honored prayer before the legislative bodies. It is an acknowledgement that religious freedom is a chief cornerstone that all free peoples enjoy and cherish. Harden's commentary indeed was sacrilegious and made no mention of the constitutional rights and privileges that are afforded to religious societies under our Constitution.
He, of course, has the same rights under our Constitution to believe as he will.
But make no mistake, if he were to write about Islam as he slandered the personage of Jesus, those nations and societies are not so tolerant, as was evidenced by author Salman Rushdie's need to flee for his life or by the backlash in the Muslim community with calls for the death of the Danish artist who created a caricature of Muhammad that many Muslims found offensive.
Harden just might want to thank God that he is in a free society that allows him to write and speak as he pleases.
CHRISTOPHER LONG, President
Ohio Christian Alliance Akron
Mike Harden commentary:
Statehouse prayer for every persuasion
Sunday, October 14, 2007 3:47 AM By Mike Harden
Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted, who is not God, is wrestling with those who claim to have a dedicated phone line to him.
In particular, Husted is washing his hands of playing prayer police for visiting clergy members who want to offer daily supplications to the almighty before a House session.
Husted does not suffer gladly those who would wrap themselves in the banner of faith and try to out-Jesus one another while condemning lap dancing unless the dancer and bar patron are on separate continents.
Ever eager to do my part, I have endeavored to write an all-purpose, inoffensive opening prayer that is both politically correct and in the best interest of politics as usual.
Let us bow our heads.
Our Father (or Mother or otherwise gender-neutral spiritual omnipresence),
Who art in heaven (or Valhalla, nirvana or any other infinite kingdom or vegan paradise where the lion shall lie down with the lamb and the chicken shall range free),
Hallowed be thy name (authorized signature or X as notarized and attested to by no fewer than two witnesses, neither of whom is permitted to be a felon and/or registered lobbyist).
Thy kingdom come (please complete and attach Prayer Amendment 637a if said kingdom differs in a spiritually material way from aforementioned heaven).
Thy will be done (except where precluded by the provisions of any Ohio House or Senate bill, act, resolution, proclamation or group hug),
On Earth (offer not available in Massachusetts, Minnesota or California)
As it is in h eaven (failure to include pertinent copies of Amendment 637a relevant to alternate firmaments could render this prayer null and void).
Give us this day (specify month and year, and make sure to check all applicable boxes)
Our daily bread (tofu, rice cakes or any other staff-of-life equivalent in compliance with the federal free or reduced-price school lunch program. Please note: Goat heads excluded).
And forgive us our sins (except in the case of the Ohio General Assembly, whose sins are already self-forgiven by virtue of sovereign immunity)
As we forgive those who sin against us (unless they are a member of the opposing political party, in which case, oh Lord, we beseech thee to jab them in the eye with a white-hot weenie fork).
And lead us not into temptation (as state legislators, we are capable of finding it on our own).
But deliver us from evil (including the great Satans of lobbyists or lap dancers or lobbying lap dancers).
For thine is the kingdom (domain, province or other spiritual fiefdom against which no financial encumbrances or IRS liens exist)
And the power (though not to supersede that vested in the speaker of the House, minority whip, chairs of all standing committees and subcommittees and sergeants-at-arms)
And the glory (but enough about us, how do you like Speaker Husted's new hairstyle?)
Forever (or until the state of Ohio enacts an equitable public-school-funding formula)
And ever (this clause added by the Ohio Department of Redundancy Department).
Amen.
Retired columnist Mike Harden writes a Sunday Metro column.
mharden@dispatch.com
1 Comments:
HI Tom,
I thought Harden's column was wonderful and I find your response fantastic. Keep up the good work. Sondra
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