Earlier this month Charlotte- Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) said it was removing "Jesus" from prayers during department ceremonies and ordered all CMPD Chaplains to follow the new guidlines.
CMPD's Chaplains have always included Jesus' name in their invocations at official department ceremonies, but the department says they want the prayers to be more inclusive.
The story has gained national attention as news outlets coast to coast have picked up the story from WBTV and The Charlotte Observer.
So the question that begs asking is why now?
Cedar Posts did just that and turned up a few answers and some theories. They range from threats from the ACLU, DNC and others to Chief Monroe is just feathering his nest, by showing the nation that CMPD has become a modern and progressive police department under his leadership.
CMPD Chaplains aren't the first to be constrained. In February of 2006 the Secretary of the Navy quietly issued new regulations governing Naval chaplains. The regulations, known as SECNAVINST 1730.7C which is short for "Secretary of the Navy Instruction 1730.7C, called "explicitly" for
nonsectarian prayers at official events.
Military Chaplains have been around since July 29, 1775 when they were recognized as necessary by the Continental Congress as the founding fathers began to build the nation's first army. Chaplains up until 1730.7C have always been allowed to pray in a whatever manner they felt necessary.
SECNAVINST 1730.7C was short lived as Congress rescinded the instructions in the 2007 Defense Authorization Act the following summer. Interestingly the United States Air Force created their own instructions authorizing Chaplains to use Jesus' name at the same time SECNAVINSY 1730.7C was created.
All of this points to "political theater" which is often at the expense of so many. Rodney Monroe doesn't care if Jesus' name is invoked during events, he is just using the department and his position as chief to throw his weight around in hopes of being "noticed".
The odd thing is the "new guidelines" seem to coincide with Capt Pless' EEOC action over being forced to attend church services and on the heels of devout "Christian" Vicky Foster's promotion to Deputy Chief.
Cedar's Take: The solution is simple, from now on those in attendance at CMPD events need to come to our chaplain's aid in closing his/her prayer properly by saying aloud, "In Jesus Holy Name Amen". Just saying.
15 comments:
Cedar,
Come on, stop the drama over the top statements.
It is not anti Jesus....how can you in good conscience say that?
It is just leaving the name of Jesus out of secular events...and the name of Allah, Buddha, etc.
.
I am a Christian and I am not threatened by this.
It is just showing respect for others and their beliefs, which would make the world a much less hostile place.
No one is trying to convert you or denounce Jesus or Christianity or take over the world.
It is just a matter of tolerance and respect for all.
So were these various religions just created that things have to change or have they been around for 100's of years. Why all of a sudden change? Ask yourself. It is because we as Americans are slowly losing are freedoms which in turn will make the USA a third world country. Laugh everyone but eventually you'll stop. Hey if that's what you want for your children then hey go for it. Being blind doesn't make one innocent.
The US Court of Appeals (4th Circuit) has already settled this issue in Joyner v. Forsyth County, NC. You can read the 49 page opinion here... http://www.ca4.uscourts.gov/Opinions/Published/101232.P.pdf
The US Supreme Court has refused to hear the case. The 4th Circuit is traditionally very conservative compared to most courts. The court stated:
"The district court’s ruling accords with both Supreme Court
precedent and our own. Those cases establish that in order to
survive constitutional scrutiny, invocations must consist of the
type of nonsectarian prayers that solemnize the legislative
task and seek to unite rather than divide. Sectarian prayers
must not serve as the gateway to citizen participation in the
affairs of local government. To have them do so runs afoul of
the promise of public neutrality among faiths that resides at
the heart of the First Amendment’s religion clauses."
Ah yes, ah yes. Again with the great debate over my friend Jesus. My solution? Pray to Abraham? Prayers to Muhammad? NO! All prayers should begin and end by thanking, the most gracious one, the one who brought peace to this open sewer of a city, the one who shines his light in the darkest corners of this community, the one who stands ready to defeat evildoers, the one who has multiple minions and dogs at the ready, the one who has shouted from the building tops that CRIME IS DOWN, the one, the immortal Apostle Rodney Monroe (peace and blessings be upon him)!!!
So all you sinners, get on you damn knees and repeat, “Apostle Rodney Monroe (peace and blessings be upon him), whom I love so much, whom I owe my safety, whom before your arrival I trembled in my bed as the sun set, continue to shower your blessings on this ungrateful pit of a city, continue to place this cesspool on your broad and mighty shoulders and protect this dump, and never ever leave our side. Apostle Rodney Monroe (peace and blessings be upon him) you are truly worthy of such praise.
For more than 200 year chaplains have been unrestricted, so why is it suddenly an issue in Charlotte?
What's next? Are we willing to forgo a bible in the courtroom? Raise your right hand and place your left hand on the box of Licky Charms.
I have to admit I am not a Christian is the purest sense, when Billy Graham asked for people to accept Jesus into their lives and to stand up I wasn't offended and I didn't feel uncomfortable.
Don't know why it is a big deal, big enough to put the spotlight on Charlotte again for all the wrong reasons.
I am non-religious and could care less about in whose name the prayers are made. They aren't for me.
Anon 7:21
Maybe you were not offended because you are not Jewish, or Muslim, or Buddhist, etc.
The Bible in the courtroom......do they have the Torah, a Koran? Or if you are a non believer, should you be required to swear on something you don't believe in?
@ 8:46 if you prefer not to swear on the bible you can affirm.
Cedar do you know how many Jewish, or Muslim cops cmpd has? Answer 8 and ZERO! There are a handfull of civilian staff who claim Islam.
This is bullshit and it has everything to do with the DNC.
Ummm it's called separation of church and state. It's the first Amendment. It's 2012 and jesus freaks still act like they are the only ones that matter on planet earth.
To 4:39, there is no such thing as separation of church and state in the US Constitution. Public schools and liberal teachers would have you believe that, but that is a fallacy. The First Amendment allows for freedom of religion for all, not freedom from religion. I solemnly believe that if Americans did not have God and Jesus behind them during the Revolution, this nation would have never been formed. It was because of God and Jesus that our nation was blessed and has become the symbol of goodness and freedom for all the nations of the world today.
Our victory in the American Revolution had nothing to do with god or jesus. It was about the determination of the men who fought.
The religious look for any victory or triumph or good fortune as a sign from a deity of blessing and approval, but this isn't correct.
@4:32 you pulled that number out your ass. I personally know three Muslim sworn officers
The Atlantic Ocean had more to do with victory in the Revolutionary War than anything else. England had its hands full fighting France for a good portion of the War. Just ask Ireland and Scotland how it worked out being close to England. If we didn't have the Atlantic, we would be part of the Empire. Back to the point, why can't there just be a moment of silence at the beginning of every event so all could be happy to pray or reflect? By the way, the Bible has the Torah covered (see the Old Testament).
I'm pretty sure this country was founded on Christian beliefs brought over by the Puritans. Just saying where has all of the "In GOD we trust" gone this nation has lost it's roots and fundamental beliefs. Why can't a Christian nation just be that? We respect everyone's opinions and views but don't expect that ours be respected.
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