Ponderings

On Thursday, May 1st, civic centers around the country will celebrate a National Day of Prayer.

Congress initiated this holiday in 1952 and President Truman signed it into law during the height of McCarthyism. This was the era of loyalty oaths in the Federal government and Hollywood blacklists. Reacting to communism’s atheism, our leaders added “under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance and a National Day of Prayer to the calendar. At its inception, the commemoration was Christian but not intended to be exclusively so.

As the Moral Majority became a trademark rather than a definition, leaders within its movement had already been at work to provide definition and structure to the National Day of Prayer. A group that called themselves the National Prayer Committee established a National Day of Prayer Task Force in 1972. This group coordinates events around the country that essentially comprise our observance of the National Day of Prayer. Although not technically commissioned by the government, their website boasts that they are, indeed, the “official website” for the National Day of Prayer and the NDP Task Force functions with an implied endorsement that has yet to be challenged.

Shirley Dobson of Colorado Springs has chaired the NDP Task Force since 1991. Shirley works closely on this and other projects with her husband, James Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family. The NDP Task Force actually makes its home on the campus of Focus on the Family. Although the values support prayer “regardless of current issues and positions”, the preferential option of Christianity is clear in the goal of “publicize(ing) and preserve(ing) America’s Christian heritage”. The volunteer application even offers a statement of belief that must be pledged:

I believe that the Holy Bible is the inerrant Word of The Living God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and the only One by which I can obtain salvation and have an ongoing relationship with God. I believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, his virgin birth, his sinless life, his miracles, the atoning work of his shed blood, his resurrection and ascension, his intercession and his coming return to power and glory. I believe that those who follow Jesus are family and there should be unity among all who claim his name.

As one who believes Jesus about God and seeks to experience the God made known in his life and teachings, I am a Christian. As a Christian, I could not in good faith sign this pledge and I am offended that it claims to be definitive of Christianity. In fact I find this hijacking of faith to be so deeply offensive that I have new found appreciation for those who simply walk away from organized prayer altogether. Communion with God transcends these narrow definitions, and our recognition of that communion must transcend our cultural barriers.

Because our God is still speaking, and people are still listening, an alternative to the NDP Task Force events are being offered this year. Called the “Inclusive National Day of Prayer”, this emerging movement is sponsored by Jews On First. Jews on First is a group committed to defending the First Amendment against the Christian Right. Their motto is “because if we don’t speak out, they’ll think we don’t mind.” They have encouraged us to contact our civic leaders in request of more inclusive celebrations and their website offers helpful talking points.

Meanwhile, the self-proclaimed “official” National Day of Prayer folks have invited us to come to city hall on Thursday at noon. No one argues that a bit of prayer is good thing, but unless our intent is to support the hijacking of our faith, we might want to sit across the aisle wearing a prayer shawl or head scarf.