Article Added On: April 22, 2008 - 2 months ago
Title: Legislature is a place for politics, not prayer
Original URL: http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/416111
Author: JIL MCINTOSH
Publication: Toronto Star
Publication Date: April 20, 2008 - 2 months ago
Faith Groups: Other Christian, Other
Themes: Religion and society, religion in politics

Abstract: Jil McIntosh, an Oshawa-based freelance writer, comments on the debate over whether the Ontario Legislature should retain its tradition of opening daily proceedings with the Lord's Prayer.

Many years ago, when I was working in an office, I came across a co-worker sitting in the empty cafeteria a few minutes before our shift started.

"Whatcha doing?" I asked.

"Praying," she said.

"By yourself?" I asked.

"God hears me," she replied.

I sure wish she was in the Ontario Legislature.

That body is currently in debate over whether it will retain its tradition of opening daily proceedings with the Lord's Prayer, and if it doesn't, what it should do to replace it. Proposals include adding other prayers, or a moment of silence that supposedly accommodates all beliefs.

Here's my suggestion: For those who feel the need for guidance in the Legislature, take Jesus's advice – he was pretty clear about it in the Gospel of Matthew – and take a moment alone to speak to one's higher power. The question shouldn't be what should replace or complement the Lord's Prayer, but why we think it needs to be recited in the Legislature in the first place.

Certainly, I've heard all the arguments, but none of them holds water.

Some people say that the nation was founded on "Christian principles," although no one ever specifies exactly what those principles are. If they're simply the teachings – love your neighbour, don't lie, don't steal – these are common-sense approaches to living together as a society that are not only universal among almost all faiths, but also among those with none. If it's more intangible – that the country was founded by men of the faith – then do we really need a history lesson each time? Who are we trying to impress with our piety?

Many will argue that it's part of a "war on Christianity," a ridiculous imaginary battle. Making the Legislature secular is necessary when it governs those of all faiths, as well as those of none. Every Christian across this nation is still able to visit a church in every town, buy a Bible in almost every bookstore, buy a cross in any jewellery store, send Christmas cards through the mail, and enjoy statutory holidays that commemorate only Christianity whenever they're based on faith. That doesn't really sound like religious persecution to me.

Many will argue that numerous countries would not tolerate demands by the minority that religious rites be stricken from government affairs. That's probably true. But some of those countries also strip women of their rights and enact the death penalty for denying the faith. Be careful who you set up as your shining example.

And many will say that times were better when prayer was shared: that when children stood up in class to recite the Lord's Prayer, we didn't have school shootings and so many teen pregnancies. We did, however, have racial hatred, a Depression and two world wars, which seem to indicate that many people don't fully understand the concept of cause and effect.

The Legislature needs to ask itself: Why do we do this? At the moment, it's nothing more than the grandstanding that Jesus so abhorred, and has no place in secular government.

As for those members who truly need the guidance, take a moment by yourself for private prayer. God will hear you just as well.