I am the invocator Hemant is talking about. I wrote an op-ed about this that was published in the Orlando Sentinel on 11 Feb 2023. I think it's paywalled, so here is a link to my piece. (I did not write the headline.)
No meeting of our secular government, at any level, should EVER begin with an invocation of any kind. Conservative Christians simply cannot stop trying to mark their territory in the public square owned by everyone. What demonstrable good have these invocations ever resulted in?
Christians can't stand the thought of not being able to get in the last word like the spoiled petulant children they are. Infantile, Just like their beliefs.
Invocations are stupid and pointless to begin with. They have no impact whatsoever on the tasks at hand. But not only do Christians insist upon it, they honestly believe they cannot conduct business without first saying the equivalent of the "magic words". It's childish to say the least. I only wish there were actual magic words that one could say to give them some degree of self-awareness.
Theists speak so grandly about deep subjects putting on airs of superiority, but then all of their actions are so fricken petty and shallow. If your ideas were so true and strong, they would be able to stand one meeting with atheist remarks.
They absolutely can't stand having their deeply held religious beliefs treated as if they didn't represent reality. Yet, when brave atheists like this guy go out in public and stand up for a secular and reasoned government, there is a dearth of lightning bolts smiting them. I fear for his safety, though as some stochastically enraged terrorist is likely to come after in today's environment/ I hope he is on his guard.
Since the city council insisted on a do-over, then every religion represented in Floriduh gets to do-over that do-over. Too fucking bad if the council has to sit there all day.
This is why we're not supposed to give religion a place at the table of governance. They just can't keep it in their pants and have to wave it in everyone's faces.
It's typical behavior. I hope that those Satanists who choose to deliver invocations continue to do so. In the future, make reference to another invocation that will follow. "A Christian here, today, will feel the need to invoke the name of Jesus to rectify through prayer the thoughts I have just imparted to you. My words stand alone to the truth, justice, humanity & compassion which we all hold in our hearts regardless of religious affiliation. I do not need to apologize for them, no one here needs to do that also and I take offense if they do."
Did the prayer do anything? Because I didn't notice any improvements. Either they have a weak prayer game or they only pray for parking spots. Up your prayer game, guys.
If you don't call in the right cleric to do the spell, then their council meeting might be infested with Satan and they might start hating on immigrants, refugees, poor people, and outcasts... wait, wait... no, I'm sorry, that is Supply Side Jesus who does that stuff... Satanists... uh... are body positive, for equality, and reason?
Wow.. yeah, you can see why they want to use their magic powers to nip that shit in the bud.
I just watched 'Strays' last night. It seems that rule number one for dogs is the same as rule number one for Christians: "Whatever you pee on is yours".
I am the invocator Hemant is talking about. I wrote an op-ed about this that was published in the Orlando Sentinel on 11 Feb 2023. I think it's paywalled, so here is a link to my piece. (I did not write the headline.)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pf0Z_hUwZyqPCtqZFoyRuh5rNek_CPKN/view
No meeting of our secular government, at any level, should EVER begin with an invocation of any kind. Conservative Christians simply cannot stop trying to mark their territory in the public square owned by everyone. What demonstrable good have these invocations ever resulted in?
They're afraid their god will be mad at them if they don't specifically praise his name, instead of the behavior he promoted.
Christians can't stand the thought of not being able to get in the last word like the spoiled petulant children they are. Infantile, Just like their beliefs.
Invocations are stupid and pointless to begin with. They have no impact whatsoever on the tasks at hand. But not only do Christians insist upon it, they honestly believe they cannot conduct business without first saying the equivalent of the "magic words". It's childish to say the least. I only wish there were actual magic words that one could say to give them some degree of self-awareness.
Theists speak so grandly about deep subjects putting on airs of superiority, but then all of their actions are so fricken petty and shallow. If your ideas were so true and strong, they would be able to stand one meeting with atheist remarks.
They absolutely can't stand having their deeply held religious beliefs treated as if they didn't represent reality. Yet, when brave atheists like this guy go out in public and stand up for a secular and reasoned government, there is a dearth of lightning bolts smiting them. I fear for his safety, though as some stochastically enraged terrorist is likely to come after in today's environment/ I hope he is on his guard.
Since the city council insisted on a do-over, then every religion represented in Floriduh gets to do-over that do-over. Too fucking bad if the council has to sit there all day.
This is why we're not supposed to give religion a place at the table of governance. They just can't keep it in their pants and have to wave it in everyone's faces.
𝐴𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑠𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑣𝑜𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑑𝑜𝑛’𝑡 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑎 𝐽𝑒𝑠𝑢𝑠-𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 “𝑑𝑜-𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟.”
Except when you want to r̶e̶m̶i̶n̶d̶ ̶e̶v̶e̶r̶y̶o̶n̶e̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶s̶ ̶i̶s̶ ̶a̶ ̶"̶C̶h̶r̶i̶s̶t̶i̶a̶n̶ ̶N̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶"̶ urinate on the Constitution.
It's typical behavior. I hope that those Satanists who choose to deliver invocations continue to do so. In the future, make reference to another invocation that will follow. "A Christian here, today, will feel the need to invoke the name of Jesus to rectify through prayer the thoughts I have just imparted to you. My words stand alone to the truth, justice, humanity & compassion which we all hold in our hearts regardless of religious affiliation. I do not need to apologize for them, no one here needs to do that also and I take offense if they do."
Did the prayer do anything? Because I didn't notice any improvements. Either they have a weak prayer game or they only pray for parking spots. Up your prayer game, guys.
If you don't call in the right cleric to do the spell, then their council meeting might be infested with Satan and they might start hating on immigrants, refugees, poor people, and outcasts... wait, wait... no, I'm sorry, that is Supply Side Jesus who does that stuff... Satanists... uh... are body positive, for equality, and reason?
Wow.. yeah, you can see why they want to use their magic powers to nip that shit in the bud.
Richardson needs to end his invocations with "no backsies". : )
I just watched 'Strays' last night. It seems that rule number one for dogs is the same as rule number one for Christians: "Whatever you pee on is yours".
Yahweh apparently gets miffed if he doesn't get sufficiently name-dropped.
"Puny god."