Christians Blast Bloomberg For Not Inviting God To 9/11 Memorial Ceremony

The atheists aren't the only ones making a stink about the goings-on at Ground Zero; the former Deputy Mayor under Rudy Giuliani is lambasting Mayor Bloomberg for excluding religion from the upcoming 10th anniversary ceremony at the World Trade Center. "This is America, and to have a memorial service where there's no prayer, this appears to be insanity to me," Rudy Washington tells the Wall Street Journal. "I feel like America has lost its way."

Bloomberg has never let spiritual leaders hold prayers or sermonize at any of the annual 9/11 gatherings, but Washington, who organized an interfaith ceremony at Yankee Stadium after the attack in 2001, says he's "very upset" Bloomberg isn't making an exception this year (it being the diamond anniversary and all). And Washington's not the only God-fearing fulminator: City Council Member Fernando Cabrera, a pastor at New Life Outreach International in the Bronx, says he's just plain "shocked" the clergy isn't on the list.

To be fair, it is quite an exclusive event this year; even Chris Christie had to practically beg to get a plus-one. "There are hundreds of important people that have offered to participate over the last nine years, but the focus remains on the families of the thousands who died on Sept. 11," Evelyn Erskine, a mayoral spokeswoman, tells the Journal. That's a very diplomatic statement, but we all know the real reason is the mayor doesn't want the headache of another atheist lawsuit.

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By John Del Signore in News on August 24, 2011 12:26 PM

Comments [rss]

DonnaJ4698

I bet "if" you could ask some of the non-christian folks that were in the Twin Towers that day that chose to jump to their death OR the ones in the firey building with no way out if "they" minded the christians or prayer allowed at the memorial I bet they WOULD NOT mind. I would just about guarantee even the non believers were praying and calling out for God's help that day.

Kristi Stargazer-Lily De Seve

gods don't need no steenking eenvites!!

TheAmused

Thomas Jefferson himself said that there has to be a wall of separation between church and state; that "religion is a matter which lies solely between Man & his God, that he owes account to none other for his faith or his worship, that the legitimate powers of government reach actions only, & not opinions."

Actions, not opinions--and he considered religion an "opinion". In addition, he wrote that he would not do as other state leader did as far as ordering public displays of "devotion".

You can read his letter here:

http://www.usconstitution.net/...

The bigger issue with displays such as this is WHOSE personal Jesus do you invite? Are you going to invite religious leaders from other belief systems? Over 3000 people from all over the world (contrary to the propaganda, many were NOT U.S. citizens or green card holders) died on that day, including Jews and Muslims. Are the leaders of NYC supposed to get all LDS and try to posthumously convert all those souls to Christianity by fiat?

Better to leave it a secular memorial and honor those people as they were and not speculate on their religious preferences.

latinlad

if "god" wasnt around for the attacks and to prevent them by his holy moly powers, then he doesnt deserve an invite, lazy ass.

- -

Bloomberg doesnt want to get blasted for inviting or excluding muslims priests so hes just not inviting anyone.. i think its a good idea

Rick Bryant

if god is a no-show at the service does that mean he does not care? hmmm

Gordon Duffy

911 was a faith based initiative

carl allen

Not quite so, that separation of church and state thing. The ability to read words as they were written seems to have been lost on this wonderfully arrogant and sophisticated society of today. Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Yep those old mentally challenged religious nuts would probably have thought such words meant; Congress could not make one religion preferable over another. and they probably would have thought, "prohibiting the free exercise thereof" meant constraints could be put on a persons choice of religion or method of practicing said religion. Where has common sense gone these days?

TheAmused

Yes, quite so. Go read my separate post about it. Jefferson went so far as to say he never issued orders for public displays of "devotion" to keep our nation separate from other state leaders who were also in control of a state religion (such was most of Europe and Asia).

Jason Dahlen

Has anyone ever heard of Separation of Church and State?! It's in the freaking Constitution! The amendment prohibits the making of any law "respecting an establishment of religion." This country was founded on the belief that religion should play no part in government affairs and vice versa. Anyone who says that "America has lost it's way" because they won't hold PRAYERS in a GOVERNMENT memorial service needs to either get their heads out of their hindquarters, or needs to get out of the country.

The Mayor of New York City is almost completely justified in his decision. Not allowing any clergy to come to the service may infringe upon the right to free practice of religion, but keeping prayer out of the service is 100% legal and follows the Constitution. I believe he is not allowing clergymen to attend simply because it may cause conflict between the Christians and their supposed "enemy," Muslims. It is legal to sacrifice a right so long as it prevents harm to citizens (e.g.: it is legal to arrest someone for yelling "FIRE!" in a crowded theater, even though they may be exercising their right to free speech. Creating dangerous situations is illegal.).

Harry Berger

Kick the bum out of office; His power has gone to his head. There is more Christians than Atheists in the country but where are the voices that can put a leash on those crew balls who hold offices like Bloomberg and others In America, the people have the power; not politicians The politicians serve the people not the other way around; God bless America . Stand up to your rights; You have a right to pray & worship where ever you want to especially at 9/11 Memorial & that place is a Memorial & it deserves all the honor we can give even including GOD. HAB Jr,

valerick

Is there some kind of internet law that dictates that the more evangelical you are, the less capable you are of communicating in English?

Jared Drury

No, but there is a direct correlation between ones religiosity and their intelligence. The more religious one is, the lower their IQ is likely to be. That is not slander BTW it is a scientific fact, search Google "facts on religion vs IQ", here is just one of many, http://hypnosis.home.netcom.co...

Unikraken

Last time Allah showed up things didn't really go well. Maybe gods should stay at home for this event...

Mr Mel

"Christians Blast Bloomberg For Not Inviting God To 9/11 Memorial Ceremony."

She was invited, and as always she neglected to send back the reply card.

mistermarkdavis

9/11 is like thanksgiving. No matter what happens someone will find a reason to have a big blow-out argument over ostensibly nothing.

BrassMonkeyBallz

Is Gov Christie gonna get all apeshit about this too?

Anarekey2000

Is it in poor taste to note that it was a bunch of deranged religious nuts who caused 9/11 in the first place? The less religion in public life, the better.