For the ceremony to commemorate 9/11, Mayor Bloomberg has chosen not to have any religious leaders there to lead a prayer service or even say a single prayer. He has said that he’d rather it focus on our country and not bring something as divisive as religion into it. Unfortunately, the tragedy brought religion into it, so by nature, commemorating it does involve religion. Also, to show the unity and strength of our country, we should include religion, specifically Christianity, since our nation was founded upon Christianity.
Even though some people would not like to admit it, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 were specifically based on religious beliefs. It occurred because a group of Muslims, known as Al-Qaeda, felt they were acting out Allah’s will, and punishing the infidels of America. We are considered infidels because of our “sinful, Western” culture,, but primarily, because we are a Christian nation. It is a fact that our country was founded on Christian beliefs and principles, and the culture was also based on it. It is that fact that makes us an enemy of that group. Not all people who consider themselves Muslim want to violently attack people of other beliefs, but Al-Qaeda did and continues to attack in the name of their faith. They were the ones who brought religion into it.
Regardless of whether or not we are the ones to bring religion into the event, however, the fact still remains that we are a nation based on Christianity. We may have turned our back on the concept in major ways, but it is what we were founded upon. So to not involve any prayer at the ceremony is, in a way, giving in to the terrorists. They want us to conform to their ways, and renounce our culture and our faith. Members of Al-Qaeda, and those who support them, have repeatedly stated that they wish to have Islam take over the world. Commemorating the events of 9/11 in a way that is also meant to show our unity and strength as a country cannot do so without including all that we are. We are a nation made of many different people of many different faiths, but we are a Christian nation. Not having something that is such an important part of our nation’s establishment ignored is a rejection of who we are and what we represent. Having a Christian prayer at this ceremony would not mean that everyone agrees with Christian beliefs, but shows that everyone accepts and respects what America is founded on. And that is an even more significant sign of unity than saying “we will disregard what our nation is, so as not to ‘offend’ some of the people within our union.”
Now, I have presented my reasons for believing that having a Christian prayer at the ceremony is not bringing religion into the event since the event was a religious one to begin with, and that having a Christian prayer is actually a way of showing our unity, not something that should create division. Before I end this article, I would just like to add one more important thought Some people have either heard, read, or even experienced something(s) that gave them the impression that Christianity is something that divides, not unifies. Some people think that because of their lifestyle, or something they have done in their past prevents them from becoming a part of Christianity. They are under the impression that because the Bible sets standards and guidelines for how a Christian should live, they are not welcome into a relationship with Jesus. This, however, is not the case. Jesus welcomes people from all walks of life, regardless of past or present actions, into a relationship with Him. It does not matter what your race, gender, sexual orientation, or any of your other identifying factors might be, you are still welcome. There are definitely standards that the Bible applies for peoples’ lives, but those are not qualifications. Simply by being a human, and welcoming Jesus into your life, you are qualified. Once you have done that, you will have experienced a major life-changing event. If you give yourself to that relationship, you will be in a place where you can follow those standards. You won’t be perfect, no Christian is, but you will be given the strength and desire to change your lifestyle, the grace to forgive yourself of anything you have done, and the peace of knowing that no matter what happens in your life, the Holy Spirit is on your side, guiding you. You may even repeat some of the same mistakes you have made prior to starting that relationship with Jesus, but if you rely on and trust in Him, you will make it through. Some may still be disagreeing with me, due to what they have been told or gone through in their own life, and I have no way of knowing where they are coming from. They may not feel like they can take my word for it. To that, I say I understand, and don’t want people to just take my word for it. Don’t have your experience with Christianity be based solely on hearsay or actions of people who call themselves Christians. You can learn the answer for yourself, as well as many other answers, in the Bible. That is the source, so base your beliefs on that, not what people say, write or do. I guarantee that if you really look at the Bible as a person wanting to learn about Christianity, you will see that my previous statements, and part of the point of this article, are correct. If we want unification, Christianity is something that can be included, and can be a stronger unifying factor, rather than divisive one.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this, or any other article I write, I would be happy to speak with you. I can be contacted at examinerbennelson@yahoo.com or on twitter @examinernelson.
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