Update at bottom of post: other bloggers reactions.
In a column this afternoon, Politico's Roger Simon took a swipe at Democratic presidential candidate and former Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) for giving a public prayer for the victims of the Virginia Tech gunman "in Christ's name.":
Does John Edwards include Jews in his prayers? Or Muslims? Or Hindus? Or any other non-Christians?
He didn’t the other day. The other day, in order to commemorate those killed at Virginia Tech, Edwards led a prayer “in Christ’s name” at Ryman Auditorium, which bills itself as “Nashville’s Premier Performance Hall.”
Edwards has a perfect right to pray publicly or privately any way he wants to. But people who are not Christians often feel left out of prayers like his.Story Continues Below Ad ↓
But wait, there's more. Not only does Simon accuse Edwards of callous insensitivity to Virginia Tech professor Liviu Librescu and his survivors (Librescu was Jewish and a Holocaust survivor), Simon found Edwards's prayer too apolitical, namely, too silent on gun control. Simon continued:
My mother, who did pray, also used to tell me, “God helps those who helps themselves.”
So, along with his prayer, I wish Edwards had included something meaningful about gun control.
He, and all the rest of the candidates who stayed silent on the subject, could have started with an easy one: a ban on the 15-shot gun magazines like the one the killer used at Virginia Tech. Recreational shooters don’t need 15-shot magazines. Mass murderers do.
Before Simon went online with his political analysis, he was most recently an "objective" reporter for U.S. News & World Report magazine.
Update (April 25 | 17:57 EDT):
Other bloggers have picked up the story have picked up on this story, here's just a few:
- Christianity Today's Ted Olsen.
- Liberal blogger Brad DeLong attacks Politico for its "rookie mistake":
Mr. Simon seems not to know that prayers must be addressed to a god in whom one believes: a prayer to a God in whom one does not believe is the ultimate in insincerity.
- Von at Obsidian Wings has a similar take:
Suggesting that Edwards' prayer needed to reference Gaia, Vishnu, Little Red Riding Hood, and Lucy the Ape to be suitable inclusive? It's a freakin' prayer, for Chrissake: that it includes reference to a particular religion is a feature, not a bug.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
gun controlling
April 23, 2007 - 16:55 ET by the mad polePRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMUNITION
Or more like, "don't n
April 23, 2007 - 16:56 ET by Ken ShepherdOr more like, "don't name the Lord and ban the ammunition."
AMMO,OH NO
April 23, 2007 - 17:02 ET by the mad pole"BAN THE AMMO", I have been hearing that a lot as of late
WWBD
April 23, 2007 - 16:59 ET by Cool ArrowWhat would Buddha Do.
"Does John Edwards inc
April 23, 2007 - 17:05 ET by MightyMouth"Does John Edwards include Jews in his prayers? Or Muslims? Or Hindus? Or any other non-Christians?"
Right, Edwards should have prayed that they all be converted to Christianity! But I think Simon would have a problem with that too! Can't please a liberal, no matter what you do!
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
"...but people who are n
April 23, 2007 - 17:07 ET by ThisnThat"...but people who are not Christians often feel left out of prayers like that".
I doubt it. Where are the stats? How do you define "often"?
And who cares? I don't. I can tell you what I do care about, though -- sincerity and backbone. Do we have to have pipsqueaks like this go around and define our public and private obligations? And do we expect our public figures to bend to their will?
I don't give a hoot about Edwards, but I certainly hope he doesn't now go back and apologize, or declare he will never do that again. Instead, he should say what McCain did: "Get a life".
Exactly. People are way too
April 23, 2007 - 18:04 ET by Darth DutchExactly. People are way too sensitive about this. As a Christian I've heard Buddhist prayers, Mormon prayers and Universalist prayers. I'm never offended that the person is praying, or even that the person is praying to a god I don't believe in. I always think that the person is, in my estimation, praying to a false god, but they have ever right to pray as they want.
Dutch
Simon should advocate school
April 24, 2007 - 09:06 ET by Dee BunkSimon should advocate school prayer if he’s worried about people feeling left out. Christians are the majority so not praying to anyone caters to atheists and leaves many more people feeling left out. His argument is so ridiculous on so many levels but I doubt if Edwards excluded Jews and Muslims from his prayers. He prayed for people and he didn’t specify one religion. Just like most Christians who pray in this type of tragedy. They don’t only pray for Christians. Of course you should pray to whom you believe in. For a Christian to pray to Hare Krishna – that would be insulting to everyone.
Could his point be that he doesn’t believe Edwards is a Christian? If that is true then I agree it’s insulting.
Unbelievable. I find it inter
April 23, 2007 - 18:07 ET by pbdmillerUnbelievable. I find it interesting that the only prayers that are singled out for the criticism of supposedly "leaving others out" are Christian prayers. I hear no stink (nor do I really want to) over the prayers of other religions leaving Christians out. The hypocrisy is mind boggling. My pastor pointed out that at a Virginia Tech memorial service last week, there were multiple religions represented: a Buddahist, and imam, a rabbi (maybe others) but in particular a minister from a local Christian church. The "Christian" minister did not even use Jesus' name in his own prayer! How pathetic is that?
Oh My
April 23, 2007 - 18:21 ET by acumenOh my. Could this be the Politico "getting even" with the Edwards campaign for feeding the Politico false information about suspending their campaign which made the Politico look the fool? Hmmmm
The best may be yet to come. Wait until Bill Maher learns that a democrat(ic) presidential candidate used the 'C' word while offering a public.....gasp...prayer.
praying
April 23, 2007 - 18:52 ET by m1xramAs God described in the Bible is the Hebrew's God and Jesus was a Jew, I'd have to say the first base is covered. The rest of the statement makes no sense because of the first Commandment, paraphrased like: have no other god before Me. Praying to false gods would upset God and therefore be counterproductive.
It is possible that Edwards has a credibility issue with God. He paid the bloggers to revile Jewish and Christian beliefs and then prays to Jesus. It is hoped that he would have asked God for forgiveness between those two events. I sincerely hope so, we all make mistakes.
m1xram
This moment on earth.
April 23, 2007 - 23:09 ET by mastersofdeceitSorry to throw an OT here. Apparently John Kerry made his first visit to Pasadena, (for a book signing) since saying only stupid people get stuck in Iraq or something. I haven't seen a story yet, maybe he called someone stupid again, but here's a couple pics. Check the pic with the little 1 year old tot. He doesn't seem too thrilled. lol
My Two Cents Worth
April 24, 2007 - 01:21 ET by Mr. TerryLike most people I have lots of pennies lying around. I have a "two-cents" worth on lots and lots of subjects. But this one begs a comment.
John Edwards was giving a public prayer in regard to VT. In spite of a man's politics he may still have faith in the God of the Bible. Even, God forbid (!), the New Testament. I may not agree with John Edwards on his politics...there are a few cents worth underlying THAT statement...
But, if a man is going to pray, he is going to pray according to what he believes. That is his right. A prayer is not a political platform for gun control either.
Roger Simon needs to give it a rest.
Does John Edwards include Jew
April 24, 2007 - 08:44 ET by JDWDoes John Edwards include Jews in his prayers? Or Muslims? Or Hindus? Or any other non-Christians?
Not sure if Soros prays but from his perspective supporting terrorist subsidiaries seems to get you a better world. And Edwards is on the Soros campaign payroll. No guns in the US but big funds for terrorism!
Edwards is a monkey, created and programmed by MR Soros, designed to institute the new Soros America. Reflect back and wonder at how gifted those CFR people were.
Ever wonder if Soros asks himself what would terrorism be like if the Koran people cut back on religion?
JDW
News media: Scoreboard for terrorists
If you are going to whine about spelling... get a life
Prayer works!!I know that for
April 24, 2007 - 09:00 ET by Jack BauerPrayer works!!
I know that for a fact because Edwards prays for perfect hair!
His favorite passage being from Matthew 10: 30...
Is Edwards Jewish? Or Muslim?
April 24, 2007 - 13:59 ET by BeowulfIs Edwards Jewish? Or Muslim? Or Hindu? Or some other religion? No? Then why would he pray based on other's religions? In actuality, he very may well have offended them by praying for them, as he is not of their religion.
I am so incredibly sick and tired of this PC BS!
The Closed Mind Builds Strong Barriers