Jesus would not approve of editorial

Much of what was included in the editorial, "What we need is a Bigger Church" sounded reasonable and commendable. Respect and exposure to other beliefs sounds like an honorable position. However, I was shaken by the last assumption, "We can't help but think Jesus would approve, too." Really?

Worship is a very personal and profound part of our being and belief system.

Opening the practice of offering a prayer at the city council meetings to Muslims, Buddhists, Bahais and others injects the possibility of asking council members to participate in worshipping or validating other gods than the Judeo/Christian God of the Bible. I personally could never bow my head and worship Allah or other concepts of an unknown universal being.

One of the main themes of the Old Testament is the struggle of the Jews to worship their God and not the gods of Egypt or the surrounding nations. This theme continues in the New Testament as the disciples of Jesus sought to spread the gospel to Greece and Rome whose people worshipped other gods.

The first commandment in the 10 commandments is, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," Ex. 20:3.

Nothing I've read shows me that Jesus tried to negate that original commandment. God loves all nations and reaches out to them, but there are absolutes like worshiping one true God. Jesus did not endorse the "inclusive" doctrine that sounds so noble to many today.

So, what's the solution? We might just accept the fact that the city council is a secular entity and needs no prayer to a higher being. After all, Bible reading has been banned from our public schools for many years so it would not offend members of other religions. The other possibility is open the door to all faiths, like Jim Hammond did; any council person who is uncomfortable can just not bow their head in worship. They can respectfully listen and keep silent.

Maybe we all need to accept that we are no longer a Christian nation. Diversity and inclusion are considered by many to be the highest level of our moral code.

However, for some, who they worship goes to the core of their faith and cannot be compromised. Please don't tell me Jesus would approve.

Vinetta Ruth Spencer is a Coeur d'Alene resident.