This week's "In Theory" Question & Answer:
IN THEORY:
Right to cancel prayer event?
Q: President Obama decided to end the National Day of Prayer event at the White House, which for years was a staple for President George W. Bush, disappointing evangelicals and other religious groups who saw it as an important endorsement of the role of religion in guiding a nation. What message do you think rescinding the event sends? And what role, then, should the president and other government leaders play in promoting faith-based messages?
A: Obama was elected as president of our country, not as the leader of a religious group. Government officials should not be promoting faith-based messages.
Obama signed the proclamation announcing the National Day of Prayer, but opted not to host the event at the White House. This does not imply a rejection of religion or religious values.
I, for one, am pleased that the National Day of Prayer is out of the White House. I remember the outrage I felt a few years ago when, right here in our own city, the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast featured Kenneth Starr as its guest of honor. How could someone as divisive and politically motivated as Starr headline a prayer meeting? It was obvious then, as it is now, that these gestures are all about politics and not about spirituality.
Prayer in the Armenian Orthodox tradition is a very private conversation with God and self. Jesus warns against the public demonstration of empty — which I read “politically motivated” — prayer (Matthew 6). Praying is very different from the act of worship, which is public and community based.
Prayer opens the mind and senses to possibilities and I suspect President Obama continues his prayer life, without the need to publicly showcase it in a White House exhibition.
Fr. Vazken Movsesian
In His Shoes
Armenian Church Youth Ministries
Published:
Read entire In Theory section and answers by other clergy:
http://www.glendalenewspress.com/articles/2009/05/16/religion/gnp-intheory16.txt
