Secret to Bipartisanship? Prayer
Laura Robertson
February 5, 2009
It's no secret that challenges to bipartisanship in Washington remain as fierce as ever. But there is one issue both Republicans and Democrats cuts across party lines: prayer.
At this morning's National Prayer Breakfast, congressmen and senators of all political backgrounds joined together in prayer, and fellowship. Sen. Amy Klobucher (D-MN) even described a morning miracle: the grits, which had originally been taken off the menu were added again.
Every president since Eisenhower has attended the breakfast, which attracts a large, prominent gathering of leading congressmen, senators, and foreign dignitaries.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair gave the breakfast’s first address, in which he encouraged all religious followers to find their common ground. "Each faith has its beliefs, each is different,” says Blair, “but at some point it is in communion with the other."
"Today religion is under attack from without and within." He described the "aggressive nonbelievers" who define faith as in conflict with reason and the extremists, who cling to their own beliefs. Blair, however, views the purpose of religions "not to exclude, but to embrace. not to invoke conflict, but to try to do good."
While he respects secular humanists, he believes "there are limits to humanism, and beyond those limits, God and only God."
President Obama similarly stressed the need for religious groups to band together for the common good, but he also more strongly recognized the reality that “long-held views and conflicts will not suddenly vanish.”
He does, however, recognize unifying principles spanning multiple religions. “There is no religion whose central tenet is hate. There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know.”
From a theological perspective, the embracing of such religious pluralism will not necessarily resonate with the most devout of all religious perspectives. While there are overarching themes of “love your neighbor” and “do unto others,” throughout most religions, there are also salient differences that can’t be glossed over. As a result, like it or not, the faith of many devoutly religious people just won’t fit under the giant umbrella of the all-roads-lead-to-god mentality.
For the purpose of launching the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, however, cooperation from the broad faith-based community will be necessary. He says the office, which will be announced later today, “will not be to favor one religious group over another – or even religious groups over secular groups. It will simply be to work on behalf of those organizations that want to work on behalf of our communities, and to do so without blurring the line that our founders wisely drew between church and state.”
Under the umbrella of this new faith-based office, the president has established a new bipartisan advisory council comprised of leaders from all religions. By reaching across the traditional political and religious divides, the president seeks to engage the entire country for the unifying purpose of service.
While many are supportive in these efforts, continued prayer will be necessary to tackle the nation’s greatest challenges.
Source: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/535468.aspx
Laura Robertson
February 5, 2009
It's no secret that challenges to bipartisanship in Washington remain as fierce as ever. But there is one issue both Republicans and Democrats cuts across party lines: prayer.
At this morning's National Prayer Breakfast, congressmen and senators of all political backgrounds joined together in prayer, and fellowship. Sen. Amy Klobucher (D-MN) even described a morning miracle: the grits, which had originally been taken off the menu were added again.
Every president since Eisenhower has attended the breakfast, which attracts a large, prominent gathering of leading congressmen, senators, and foreign dignitaries.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair gave the breakfast’s first address, in which he encouraged all religious followers to find their common ground. "Each faith has its beliefs, each is different,” says Blair, “but at some point it is in communion with the other."
"Today religion is under attack from without and within." He described the "aggressive nonbelievers" who define faith as in conflict with reason and the extremists, who cling to their own beliefs. Blair, however, views the purpose of religions "not to exclude, but to embrace. not to invoke conflict, but to try to do good."
While he respects secular humanists, he believes "there are limits to humanism, and beyond those limits, God and only God."
President Obama similarly stressed the need for religious groups to band together for the common good, but he also more strongly recognized the reality that “long-held views and conflicts will not suddenly vanish.”
He does, however, recognize unifying principles spanning multiple religions. “There is no religion whose central tenet is hate. There is no God who condones taking the life of an innocent human being. This much we know.”
From a theological perspective, the embracing of such religious pluralism will not necessarily resonate with the most devout of all religious perspectives. While there are overarching themes of “love your neighbor” and “do unto others,” throughout most religions, there are also salient differences that can’t be glossed over. As a result, like it or not, the faith of many devoutly religious people just won’t fit under the giant umbrella of the all-roads-lead-to-god mentality.
For the purpose of launching the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, however, cooperation from the broad faith-based community will be necessary. He says the office, which will be announced later today, “will not be to favor one religious group over another – or even religious groups over secular groups. It will simply be to work on behalf of those organizations that want to work on behalf of our communities, and to do so without blurring the line that our founders wisely drew between church and state.”
Under the umbrella of this new faith-based office, the president has established a new bipartisan advisory council comprised of leaders from all religions. By reaching across the traditional political and religious divides, the president seeks to engage the entire country for the unifying purpose of service.
While many are supportive in these efforts, continued prayer will be necessary to tackle the nation’s greatest challenges.
Source: http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/535468.aspx
Note:
- Blue Bolds and Highlights denote Tony Blair's comments;
- Black Bolds and Highlights denote President Obama's.
Arsenio.