Offensive Christians

syncretism:  the combination of different forms of belief or practice

blasphemy: the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God

If you want to see both of these words in action, read or listen the the prayer given at the DNC.

Here is the transcript:

Please stand.
We are all here to devote ourselves to the improvement of this country we
love.
In one of the best traditions of our country, would those of you who are
people of faith join me in asking for God's help?
Almighty God, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us a
reverence for all life.
Give us a compassion for the most vulnerable among us - the babies, the
children, the poor, the sick, the enslaved, the persecuted. For all of those
who have been left out of the advantaged world.
Give us a zeal to clean the environment we have polluted while we create
an economy where everyone who can work can have a job.
Help us to honor those who defend our country by working harder and
smarter for peace.
Help us to counter those that incite fear and hatred by becoming people
who are informed and respectful and are known for principles and projects that
aim higher than our own group's benefit.
Guide Barack Obama and all of our leaders to be agents of your will and
recipients of your wisdom. And grant that all of us citizens will continually
do our part to contribute to the common good by loving our neighbor as we love
ourselves.
Now, I interrupt this prayer for a closing instruction:
Because we are gathered in a country that continues to welcome people of
all faiths, let us personalize this prayer by closing according to our own
tradition.
On the count of three, end your prayer as you would usually do.
Amen!

Let's go out and change the world for good!

Did a Christian pastor just end his prayer by encouraging non-Christians to “pray” to their gods? It sure looks like he did.  I’ve never read in scripture an example of a priest, prophet, or designated leader who encouraged pagans to pray to their gods. Have you?

I’ll write more later.

OC

P.S.  Floridamom added an important fact below: The pastor ended his prayer “in Jesus name.”

I think this adds a bit to the story but doesn’t change the defintion of syncretism.