As the anniversary of 9/11 approaches, Christians are outraged that they will not be able to use the remembrance ceremony as a giant billboard for their faith. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has made it clear that he does not want the divisiveness of religion to be part of this remembrance. This week’s Washington Post “On Faith” topic is: No prayer for 9/11?
Mayor Bloomberg declined to have any religious representation at the 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York City; President Obama will speak the evening of 9/11 at the National Cathedral. Are both approaches appropriate? Should the remembrances be secular or religious? Both?
Christians in America have this habit of attempting to hijack anything that deals with patriotism and planting their flag on it. The 9/11 tragedy is just the biggest example of such a tactic.
They demand that small Islamic culture centers be pushed further than two blocks away while they have huge gaudy churches less than a block away. They demand that their giant religious symbol be put in the 9/11 Memorial Museum and now they are demanding center stage at this remembrance to let people know that their religion is the endorsed belief in this nation (even when it isn’t).
To some extent, I think they ought to have the right to speak at this event as long as equal access is given to all religions and to those of no religion as well. The problem is that atheist and humanist leaders have actual decency and probably would not try to take advantage of this tragedy. Christian leaders have no sense of decency. They are no stranger to this type of tactic. In fact, they already take advantage of the death and suffering of others all the time during normal funeral services.
When people die, Christian leaders look at it as a great opportunity to push their religion and to reaffirm the beliefs of those who have already been indoctrinated. When emotions run high and people are in an overly emotional state and not thinking rationally, Christian leaders and leaders of other religious faiths are often quick to take advantage of the situation. The 9/11 Remembrance is just one big funeral to them.
There are churches just a block away from Ground Zero, why can’t Christians pray there? In fact, if God is everywhere, why can’t they pray… anywhere? Why do they need to go out in public and make a show of their religion for the entire world to see? Haven’t these religious leaders read the Bible? I have and my Bible says the following:
"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites [are]: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." -Matthew 6:5-6
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