Part of me makes me glad I don't live in Georgia, but I'm sure it is similar here. This story from CNN today raises the issue nicely. I'm talking about elected officials wasting valuable taxpayer paid time pleading with some fantastical deity for help when they could be doing work for the people. This year Georgia is suffering from one of the worst droughts in its history. Water shortages are reaching critical stage in Atlanta and many places in GA. There's a lot to do. So, what does Governor Sonny Perdue and the GA legislature have on their agendas today? Yes. They're going to stand around on the steps of the Capitol mumbling to some imaginary magical creature to come down and spread some rain around. This is NOT what public servants are elected to do.
Now, I have no problem with people praying. Prayer can make people feel good. It can give them inner strength and lift them up. The GA governor and legislature can pray all they want to, but can't they do it on their own time? Their constituents are certainly expecting more from their work day. Most working people don't get to stop working to organize prayer vigils. They use their day off on Sunday for their worship. Why should elected officials be granted special rights in this regard?
At least one guy down in GA has the right idea:
"The governor can pray when he wants to," said Ed Buckner, who is organizing the protest. "What he can't do is lead prayers in the name of the people of Georgia."
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2 comments:
I am sure Georgia is glad you do not live there. I applaud any one in a postion of power for standing up and asking for God to help. That is exactly what we are suppose to do. And since these men are elected officials by the people of Georgia I would say that this is what the expect and want from their oficials. So back off and let God work. And if He choses to answer their prayers and needs more power to Him. Becareful in how you speack about God, He will only allow you to get away with it for so long, then like Saul who became Paul You will know God and you may not like what He demands of you.
Why do you use the term 'these men'? Do you believe a woman's place is in the home and not in the senate?
You obviously did not read my post carefully. I said I have no problem with people praying. I do have a problem when their religion interferes with them doing their job that they were elected to do. Wasting time praying does nothing for the drought. They should pray on their own time.
Again, these folks were not elected to public office to pray. They were elected to represent all their constituents and work for the public. All the constituents pay their salaries, not just the christian constituents.
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