The Village Square

Prayers.

The prayers, across faiths, offered at Tuesday night’s Dinner at the Square…

Rabbi Romberg of Temple Israel recalled historical quotes on the topic:

It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.
—George Washington

Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
—George Washington

Of cities there are two kinds: The better enjoys a democratic government, which honors equality, and has law and justice for its rulers. Such a constitution is a hymn to God…
—Philo

Father Abshire of St. John’s Episcopal Church:

Gracious God,

Give us a spirit of mutual respect and honest inquiry, so that we may engage each other in dialogue and debate in ways that will be edifying for all.

We thank you for our beloved country, and the precious gift of democracy and free speech.

In the Village Square forum tonight, we pray that we may be good stewards of both our politics and our faith.

And now, we ask that you bless this food… Amen.

Add comment January 17th, 2009