1/1/11

Rick Perry's Non-Constitutional, Un-Christian Prayer Meetings

Rick Perry’s prayer meetings will no doubt score high points with his Evangelical Christian base, but if he is planning to run for President, it will likely turn off mainline Christians and secular swing voters, for these two reasons.

First, such meetings have a un-Constitutional ring to them. The powers and duties of the President as explicitly defined by Article II of The Constitution makes no mention at all of promoting religious values. The President, of course, can be a devout believer and, as such, bank on his faith to make decisions, as did George W. Bush, but he has no legal right to foist his faith on the nation. He is elected to serve as Chief Executive and Commander in Chief of the United States of America, not as head prophet or guru.

Second, Perry’s mass prayer meetings—political rallies in disguise, really--are un-Christian. As Jesus said: “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say unto you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matt 6:5-6—New King James Version)

Rick Perry might be right. The economic and social ills plaguing America might be due to a loss of spiritual values. But, if that be the case, then the problem is for God to deal with. It’s not the job of mortals, especially of mundane politicos like Rick Perry.

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