[/caption]Carol Forsloff - Rev. Dan Vojir, of Universal Life Church, alludes to Texas as the refuge for the worst of the Christian right and as a place that targets people of faiths outside of fundamental Christianity as being heathen, specifically highlighting Governor Rick Perry’s involvement; but is this a rational argument about the Lone Star State from a qualified minister?
Reverend Vojir writes in his biography on OEN News that he has been a radio host and blogger in the area of politics and religion for 10 years This is an online publication referring to itself as the platform for progressive argument, oriented towards saving democracy by underlining the foolishness of conservative foes in the Republican party and Obama and Co among the Democrats.
A review of citations in Vojir’s article about Governor Rick Perry’s prayer rally goes to a blog that criticizes “right-wing” agenda, specifically former Governor Huckabee on a website called Right Wing Watch. Any specific reference to the prayer is missing on the cited page, although there is an article about Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC show where she covered the prayer rally.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is quoted by Politifact Texas as telling pastors that the prayer rally he has called for August 6 at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas is not a political event.
"I know there are people, critics, that say this is just some political event," Perry was quoted as saying. "Well it's not that. This event is not about supporting some organization...It's going to be very simple...It's just a time to call out to god and that's it and lift Jesus’ name up on high." He does say, however, there may be other motivating reasons for the rally.
The Advocate examines the issues and points out how supporters of the rally have gone on record as against gay marriage. An article outlines what some people believe is an attempt by the religious right to target gay people.
How does the Houston clergy feel about this scheduled prayer rally? The following is an excerpt from the council of religious leaders in Houston: As Houston clergy, we write to express our deep concern over Governor Rick Perry’s proclamation of a day of prayer and fasting at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on August 6th. In our role as faith leaders, we encourage and support prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. Yet our governor’s religious event gives us pause for a number of reasons:
We believe in a healthy boundary between church and state. Out of respect for the state, we believe that it should represent all citizens equally and without preference for religious or philosophical tradition. Out of respect for religious communities, we believe that they should foster faithful ways of living without favoring one political party over another. Keeping the church and state separate allows each to thrive and upholds our proud national tradition of empowering citizens to worship freely and vote conscientiously. We are concerned that our governor has crossed the line by organizing and leading a religious event rather than focusing on the people’s business in Austin.
We also express concern that the day of prayer and fasting at Reliant Stadium is not an inclusive event. As clergy leaders in the nation’s fourth largest city, we take pride in Houston’s vibrant and diverse religious landscape. Our religious communities include Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Unitarian Universalists, and many other faith traditions."
This is not the first time Perry’s fundamental beliefs have been infused into the political discussions about education in Texas. He appointed a dentist, Don McLeroy, as chairman of the State Board of Education and point man in the fight over Texas' science curriculum, to include intelligent design and creationism as part of the science curriculum in Texas schools. McLeroy said afterwards, according to the Statesman, "Oh, this is cool," he says, launchin into a Sunday school lesson that ranges from the importance of sharing the gospel to the existence of God.
Everything that had a beginning we can say had a cause,” he told a group of Grace Bible Church fourth graders, according to the report. “And now science definitely says that the universe had a beginning. Therefore, the universe had to have a cause. And that cause is God.”
Rick Perry has been mentioned by many news media commentators on both the left and right as a potential candidate for President from the Republican party. But his proposals for a prayer rally and for education have opponents in Texas, a place where the schism in politics reflects the country’s stalemate on many issues.
But as Perry’s prayer is questioned, does the writer who raises these issues have the ministerial qualifications to address the spiritual as well as political concerns raised? Vojir’s credential is abbreviated ULC in OEN News. What the Universal Life Church allows for ministerial qualifications is to complete a form and in 72 hours one can receive the credential. The ordination will then allow the new “minister” to perform weddings, baptisms and other religious ceremonies and start a ministry. It invites folks:
Become a minister today, it is always free of charge. You do not have to purchase anything from ULC to be an online ordained minister. All that we ask is for you to promote freedom of and from religion and to "do that which is right." It is up to each individual to determine what is right as long as it does not infringe upon the rights of others and is within the law."
The organization does, however, charge for its books and scripts for sermons and official ceremonies that folks are said to be able to legally perform following the ordination.to
The issues raised by the original article include the conflict of public prayer at the invitation of a political figure, Rick Perry, and whether that conflicts with the First Amendment, the spiritual issues involved in what is meant by religion, and how a religion is defined and finally whether the prayer proposal and its critics are within the ethical guidelines of discussion as well.