The Houston Chronicle reports that a progressive Christian group in Houston, the Houston Clergy Council, has issued a letter criticizing Governor Rick Perry's planned prayer event, 'The Response'.

Wary of the event's exclusion of non-Christians and its partnership with the anti-gay American Family Association, the group writes, "We ask that Rick Perry leave the ministry to us and refocus his energy on the work of governing our state."

The full text of the Houston Clergy Council's letter:



June 13, 2011



As Houston clergy, we write to express our deep concern over Governor Rick Perry’s proclamation of a day of prayer and fasting at Houston’s Reliant Stadium on August 6th. In our role as faith leaders, we encourage and support prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. Yet our governor’s religious event gives us pause for a number of reasons:



We believe in a healthy boundary between church and state. Out of respect for the state, we believe that it should represent all citizens equally and without preference for religious or philosophical tradition. Out of respect for religious communities, we believe that they should foster faithful ways of living without favoring one political party over another. Keeping the church and state separate allows each to thrive and upholds our proud national tradition of empowering citizens to worship freely and vote conscientiously. We are concerned that our governor has crossed the line by organizing and leading a religious event rather than focusing on the people’s business in Austin.



We also express concern that the day of prayer and fasting at Reliant Stadium is not an inclusive event. As clergy leaders in the nation’s fourth largest city, we take pride in Houston’s vibrant and diverse religious landscape. Our religious communities include Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Unitarian Universalists, and many other faith traditions. Our city is also home to committed agnostics and atheists, with whom we share common cause as fellow Houstonians. Houston has long been known as a “live and let live” city, where all are respected and welcomed. It troubles us that the governor’s prayer event is not open to everyone. In the publicized materials, the governor has made it clear that only Christians of a particular kind are welcome to pray in a certain way. We feel that such an exclusive event does not reflect the rich tapestry of our city.



Our deepest concern, however, lies in the fact that funding for this event appears to come from the American Family Association, an organization labeled a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. The American Family Association and its leadership have a long track record of anti-gay speech and have actively worked to discriminate against the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. The American Family Association and its leadership have also been stridently anti-Muslim, going so far as to question the rights of Muslim Americans to freely organize and practice their faith. We believe it is inappropriate for our governor to organize a religious event funded by a group known for its discriminatory stances.



As religious leaders, we commit to join with all Houstonians in working to make our city a better place. We will lead our communities in prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. We ask that Rick Perry leave the ministry to us and refocus his energy on the work of governing our state.



Signed,



Rev. Dr. Jeremy Rutledge, Minister, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches

Rev. Douglas Anders, Conference Minister, South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ

Rev. Paul Beedle, Unitarian Universalist

Rev. Dr. Ginny Brown Daniel, Minister, Plymouth United Church, UCC

Rev. Beth Ellen Cooper-Davis, Minister, Northwoods Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. Michael Diaz, Director of Connections, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church
Rev. Dr. Millard Eiland, Alliance of Baptists


Rev. Pat Farnan, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church

Rev. Lura Groen, Pastor, Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church

Rev. Teddy Hardy, Minister, St. John United Church of Christ

Rev. Lori Keaton, United Church of Christ

Rev. Harry Knox, Senior Pastor, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church

Rev. Janice Ladd, Executive Pastor, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church

Rev. Dr. Becky Edmiston-Lange, Co-Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. Mark Edmiston-Lange, Co-Minister, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. Dr. Margie Latham, Minister of Administration, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches

Rev. Mona Lopez, Volunteer Staff Clergy, Resurrection Metropolitan Community Church

Rev. Laura Mayo, Minister, Covenant Church, Alliance of Baptists/American Baptist Churches

Rev. Dr. Daniel O’Connell, Senior Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. David Pantermuehl, Grace United Church of Christ

Rev. Adam Robinson, Assistant Minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. Ken Richter, Senior Minister, First Congregational Church, UCC

Rev. Bill Royster, United Church of Christ

Rev. Sam Schaal, Transition Minister, Bay Area Unitarian Universalist Church

Rev. Robert Tucker, Executive Director, Foundation for Contemporary Theology

Rev. Ernie Turney, Pastor, Bering United Methodist Church

Rev. Bonnie Vegiard, Unitarian Universalist


Additional supporters of the Houston Clergy Council statement

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Mike

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=39557&forum=48&7

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Janice

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Bill

Looks like they were offended because after all, as they said, they are the "Faith Leaders" and things of God should be left to them, the professionals.

Sarah

But who are the professionals????

Ahhh, very good, martyr.

They're both professionals. It's a turf war!

Question: What is Perry's record on calling for prayer? Is it consistent or do you think it has something to do with possibly running for Prez?

Sarah

You are right it is a turf war. I don't think the professional clergy like the professional politicians showing them up. You know there is almost a cynical irony in all of this. Good question you pose. One does wonder about Perry's record on calling to prayer. Is he seriously thinking of the Presidency? What is it about Texas and Presidential politics? Wonder is we will see a Bachman Perry ticket???? Will Michell Bachman call a prayer event? I better quit here. My cynical nature is coming out.

It is certainly plausible that Gov. Perry is simply calling for the prayer for the purpose stated.

Since when did it become unseemly for a governor to call for prayer? Hmmm. Who died and left the HCC in charge of all things spiritual in Texas? I wonder what the 'ordinary' Joe on the street thinks of all this fuss.

Can't wait to see how this all plays out.

Reminds me of all the froth and lather preceding the Tebows advert in whatever superbowl it was. Phew!!
If ever the phrase, 'much ado about nothing' was apropos, oi!

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Tolu

Houston Clergy Council Opposes Rick Perry's Response Prayer Rally.

Let's face it. It would be more aptly named; "HOUSTON GAY CLERGY COUNCIL."

Of course they oppose an Evangelical-Political event. They understand clearly that true evangelicalism vehemently opposes their lifestyle... [ while it should also extend a hand of mercy, as long as there is holy repentance.]

For this; they will protest and rage.

When Christians refuse to stop being gullible and start being realistic and logical, then they are often accused of being cynical and negative.

Politicians know that the propensity of the Church IS to be gullible and they take advantage of it.

Just look at all the false teachers that Christians follow without ever asking serious questions. Everyone knows how gullible Christians are and they are taken advantage of by politicians and false shepherds, alike, all for their own gain.

We need a good dose of Spiritual Common Sense (and discernment).

But the realistic (not cynical) part of me says it is not going to happen until the spiritual leaders divorce themselvs from the state, give up their tax exempt status and start speaking the truth (and stop taking advantage of the sheep). But, as a State Owned Enterprise, you cannot really speak God's full truth to all men (including politicians). The State has learned how to silence the Church when it comes to them.

State owned enterprise - Whenever you incorporate you become an entity of that state. This means that you are required to abide by the guidelines of the state you are incorporated in. In New Jersey, if a Sodomite wants a job at your church, you must hire them. There is no constitutional protection in a state church.

Back to the debt.

It is no secret that the United States is soon to be plunged into an economic crisis which will parallel that of the Great Depression. It must be known that the Great Depression did not just happen, it was well planned. When the Federal Reserve System came into existence in the United States in 1913, it was the death knell for the U.S. economy as we went from a godly gold backed dollar to a debt based Federal Reserve Note.

(Rev 18:14 KJV) And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.

As the Great Depression was planned and there was a massive wealth transfer and more control over people, so this next Great Depression is planned, more wealth transfer and more control over people will be exercised.

In Christ,
Sarah