Before continuing, I admit that I am not a theologian...
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father,
Who art in Heaven,
Hollowed be Thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done,
On earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day
Our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those
Who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
The power and the glory,
Forever and ever,
Amen.
By Christian tradition, this is the prayer taught by Jesus to his disciples when they asked him how to pray. Prayer serves a similar function to meditation, in that it helps to focus the mind on specific thoughts. This prayer helps to center one's thoughts on humble submission and faith in God as a provider. Also, the prayer trains the mind on ordered society, which includes central the theme of forgiveness. When put in the context of Jesus' overall message to love God and to love your neighbors and his nonviolent methodology, it becomes hard not to be somewhat offended by "prayer-ins" outside of Sen. Specter's office.
Also, ignoring the fact that its date has roots in Roman paganism, how is the commercialization of Christmas not a form of perpetuation of Capitalistic pagan idolatry? Granted, this assessment requires a more anthropological interpretation of religion... but Bush is indeed a God-granted gift to an undeserving pagan-nation, who will lead us out of immorality with his God-fearing truthfulness and his honor... just overlook the pagan practises of some of his social clubs, it's just play....
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