I just came across yet another incident where Christians are upset because they aren’t being allowed to offer prayers at certain public events. This time it was at high school football games in Desoto County, MS.
Apparently pre-game prayer has been regularly offered over the loudspeakers before the games. The practice was recently discontinued because the school system “bowed to pressure” from a Wisconsin anti-religious group.
Of course, this angered and upset hundreds of the faithful and several parents have now put a movement in place to fight the action. They think Christians in the stands should be allowed to recite the “Lord’s Prayer” immediately after the Star Spangled Banner is played/sung. The spokesman for the group says Christians don’t want to “compromise their beliefs” and feels it is their “right” to be able to pray in public.
The question that continues to come to my mind whenever I read about these ‘protests’ is this: What about the Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Jews, atheists, etc.? What about their beliefs (or non-beliefs) and rights? To many of them, praying to the “Christian God” is an offense.
I can’t help but wonder what Christians think they are accomplishing by wanting to make prayer a public activity. Do they actually think they are going to ‘convert’ non-believers just because they hear the “Lord’s Prayer” (or some other prayer) being recited?
Not only that, Jesus told his followers, “when you pray, enter into your closet.” Yet again and again, Christians blatantly ignore this directive.
Nan's Notebook 
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As for your last but one paragraph Nan, Catholics insist on the truth of the meaning of “Catholic”, being “Universal”. This in itself is fair enough, but what amazes me is they do not accept the invalidity of such a self-imposed truth (as are many other divine verities). It makes them angry at non-believers for not wanting to hear their prayers in public.
Personally if I would feel like praying I would head for a closet rather than a football field.
Greetings, Federico
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Federico,
Thanks for visiting! I appreciate and agree with your comments.
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Hard to tell why Jesus followers do not do as he is claimed to have said. Praying in the closet, forsaking all and so on. They seem to me to cling to everything contrary to their lord’s admonitions.
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God is everywhere and wherever we are, He is, and where two or more pray, there He is as well. Therefore, where we pray publicly, He will be. We Catholics are not forcing anyone to pray in public, but rather inviting all who want and need to pray to join us to communicate with The Lord. So when you see us in public prayer, feel free to join in our Communication with Almighty God.
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Hello Leticia.
It isn’t a matter that Catholics (or any other Christian denomination) is “forcing” someone to pray. It’s the idea that there are individuals who do NOT believe in the Christian god (other faiths, atheists, humanists, etc.). Why should they be subjected to prayers, songs, speeches, etc. at public events? They are there because they want to enjoy a secular activity. If they wanted to hear prayers, they would go to a place of worship.
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It would’ve been great for those who lost their lives and loved ones in Las Vegas to have had some type of communication with the Lord before they left so unexpectedly. That is why it is good to pray in public together as a people of God but I guess it doesn’t apply to those who do not consider themselves people of God.
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