Controversy sparks over meeting invocation

[Az]

http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readarticle.asp?articleid=2299&z=3&p=

Includes video

CAPE CORAL— Cape Coral City Council did not begin with a prayer as it usually does. Instead, self-described atheist Thomas Clark started the meeting with a secular invocation. Even though Clark's invocation was less about 30 seconds long, it has been the subject of a long-running controversy.

"As you conduct this meeting may you show respect for all the citizens of Cape Coral, for your fellow council members and do what is right for our community," said Clark.

It seemed innocent enough - a simple speech to start a city council meeting, but things weren't so simple Monday night.

Normally meetings start with an invocation.

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

1. In a secular republic,

what's wrong with the message by Thomas Clark?

In Iran, perhaps, it would be best to start out with an Allah aqbar, but this ain't Iran...

Why is this so hard to grasp for people?

grrr :grr:

[aikido15]

7. These people will never be satisfied...

until we are living in a theocracy. :puke:

[NYC]

15. I think his message is perfect for the circumstances.

Suits their meeting.

[WildClarySage]

2. They're really gonna get their knickers in a twist when it's the

witch's turn to lead the invocation.

[rurallib]

4. or the Muslim, or the Hindi ...........

[noamnety]

3. "An invocation is asking God for wisdom and guidance,"

That's too funny.

Are they afraid God won't grant them wisdom unless they ask shortly before the meeting convenes, and without that they'll act foolishly?

Urgh, actually I guess it's not so funny. That's pretty much what happened.

[Just Me]

11. Why do they, apparently, believe man can destroy God or God's will?

They seem to have very little faith, to me, if they are afraid that man can somehow take God out of life. I thought God was all-powerful.

[Dufaeth]

5. Buncha pricks

He wasn't even saying they should never be allowed an invocation, just that he should have a chance as well.

[tk2kewl]

6. We need more Tom Clarks

Typical hypocritical rethuglican responses to Clark too. His critics say he made his secular invocation for political gain while wrapping themselves in the flag, decrying atheism and saying the meeting should start with a prayer. Who is doing the pandering here? Jesus!

[alpizzy]

8. I'm disgusted! What is that council thinking?!

As a side note. ABC is filming an episode of WifeSwap with
an atheist & a fundamentalist. Part of it to be filmed in
Flint, MI. I'm nervous about how the atheist might be portrayed.

[Az]

12. This isn't the first one to go through this

There have been a number of such councils that had an atheist (or other nonabrahamic faith) speak up. Uproar and disenssion seem to follow.

As to the wifeswap... er... isn't the swapping of wives troubling enough? And just how fundamental can they be if they are going along with it?

[Straight Shooter]

9. A compromise invocation: "Please, God, save me from your followers."

Or, as Gandhi put it, I wanted to be a Christian, until I saw them in action."

Actually, let me refine that. I have no problems with Christians, which means follower of Christ or to be like Christ. It's the psuedo-Christians who walk around thinking they're Gawd's designated agents to promote punishment on earth that bug the sh** out of me.

[RobertSeattle]

10. I've always liked "Thanks"

[noamnety]

13. I bet I know the problem

He probably forbade them from silently saying a prayer to themselves.

I know I do that when I have company over; it's in the secret atheist handbook. I don't say grace, and if I see that one of them looks like they might silently be saying it before they eat, I kick them out. They'd better be looking straight ahead, not down, and if they don't pick up their fork and start eating the minute the food lands on their plate, they're out.

[Maat]

14. Look, each member could have said an 'Amen' to his/her..

self.

In my faith, I would have silently said to myself, 'And it is so!'

I think that his words were neat. It is such a shame that they couldn't enjoy this without spouting their crud afterwards.

Nothing worse than an RRE (Religious Right Extremist)!

Their reaction tells me this is about control and bullying, not faith.

[GetTheRightVote]

16. Maat, I do believe you are right, it is control & power for it it were

really about God, they would have said their amens and just continued with the meeting without a thought about it. They made it ugly because they did not get what they wanted, that's all.

:kick: