Lord's Prayer 62 Languages JerusalemWe moved to Sudbury almost twenty years ago, shortly after the landmark decision to remove the Lord's Prayer from the public education system. A Sudbury lawyer who was Jewish initiated the challenge and part of his argument was that his children and those of other faiths shouldn't have to step out of the classroom in order to avoid this Christian prayer.
Recently Premier McGuinty called for a review of the use of the Lord's Prayer in the Ontario legislature. How many of us were aware that the prayer was still used on a regular basis before the members of provincial parliament began the serious business of carving one another to bits? So much for "forgive us our trespasses." It seems likely that the review will recommend something along the lines of a moment of silence to replace any of those terrible sectarian prayers so many fuss about. You can probably detect my bemusement. It's hard to imagine what phrase in the Lord's Prayer would cause offense and all of them have parallels in Judaism.
In fact, Rabbi Dow Marmur, a much respected Jewish leader encouraged continuing with the Lord's Prayer in the legislature. He suggests that there might be minor modification at the end of the prayer to suit all faiths. http://www.thestar.com/article/306143 How, well, sensible! Over and over again people call for expunging all religious references and practices as a way of addressing religious diversity.
It seems foolish to me in everything from Christmas trees, to license plates, to public prayers. Then again, I am a big, white, male, Christian. How much more politicallly incorrect could I be?
Recently Premier McGuinty called for a review of the use of the Lord's Prayer in the Ontario legislature. How many of us were aware that the prayer was still used on a regular basis before the members of provincial parliament began the serious business of carving one another to bits? So much for "forgive us our trespasses." It seems likely that the review will recommend something along the lines of a moment of silence to replace any of those terrible sectarian prayers so many fuss about. You can probably detect my bemusement. It's hard to imagine what phrase in the Lord's Prayer would cause offense and all of them have parallels in Judaism.
In fact, Rabbi Dow Marmur, a much respected Jewish leader encouraged continuing with the Lord's Prayer in the legislature. He suggests that there might be minor modification at the end of the prayer to suit all faiths. http://www.thestar.com/article/306143 How, well, sensible! Over and over again people call for expunging all religious references and practices as a way of addressing religious diversity.
It seems foolish to me in everything from Christmas trees, to license plates, to public prayers. Then again, I am a big, white, male, Christian. How much more politicallly incorrect could I be?
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