Dáil and Seanad Prayers

lazygal

Not the most pressing issue in light of abortion developments this week but throwing it out there anyway.

For those who might not know, every day the Dáil or Seanad sits, a prayer is read out. Its a clearly Christian prayer. Changes were made to add a reflection in the Seanad, in addition to the prayer, but the prayer remains.


Here is the prayer:
Direct, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions by thy holy inspirations and carry them on by thy gracious assistance; that every word and work of ours may always begin from thee, and by thee be happily ended; through Christ our Lord. Amen


Now, I think this is a problem. Appeal to a supernatural deity to do one's work isn't appropriate in this day and age. Is a moment's reflection even needed? Surely you're there to do your work as a legislator and that's the start and end of it.

Pherekydes

lazygal wrote: »

Not the most pressing issue in light of abortion developments this week but throwing it out there anyway.

For those who might not know, every day the Dáil or Seanad sits, a prayer is read out. Its a clearly Christian prayer. Changes were made to add a reflection in the Seanad, in addition to the prayer, but the prayer remains.


Here is the prayer:
Direct, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions by thy holy inspirations and carry them on by thy gracious assistance; that every word and work of ours may always begin from thee, and by thee be happily ended; through Christ our Lord. Amen


Now, I think this is a problem. Appeal to a supernatural deity to do one's work isn't appropriate in this day and age. Is a moment's reflection even needed? Surely you're there to do your work as a legislator and that's the start and end of it.

Now we know who's responsible for the blanket bank guarantee and other fcukwittery.

Turtwig

lazygal wrote: »

Not the most pressing issue in light of abortion developments this week but throwing it out there anyway.

For those who might not know, every day the Dáil or Seanad sits, a prayer is read out. Its a clearly Christian prayer. Changes were made to add a reflection in the Seanad, in addition to the prayer, but the prayer remains.


Here is the prayer:
Direct, we beseech thee, O Lord, our actions by thy holy inspirations and carry them on by thy gracious assistance; that every word and work of ours may always begin from thee, and by thee be happily ended; through Christ our Lord. Amen


Now, I think this is a problem. Appeal to a supernatural deity to do one's work isn't appropriate in this day and age. Is a moment's reflection even needed? Surely you're there to do your work as a legislator and that's the start and end of it.

Unfortunately until we remove or reverence to the Almighty in the Constitution then I can't see that prayer being removed. The State can't endow favour to any religion but it also has to respect and honour the Almighty God. So, go figure that one out.

Dave!

Contact your local TDs to voice your displeasure about this and other matters of a secular nature

belcampprisoner

they should add

we pray for bankers and nama will get a good price
that the electors will see we are less crooked than that other shower

that are pensions will rise


amen

Dades

In before the inevitable "what harm does it do sure it's always been that way have you nothing better to complain about" post.

Hotblack Desiato

Tch, you forgot 'Ireland is a catholic country'

im invisible

what harm does it do, sure it's always been that way have you nothing better to complain about,

SebBerkovich

im invisible wrote: »

what harm does it do, sure it's always been that way have you nothing better to complain about,

Sure we're all going to die anyway.

Geomy

I think its only routine.
Probably half if not more just mumble
along with the prayer.

Is it really bothering you ?

Dave!

Geomy wrote: »

I think its only routine.
Probably half if not more just mumble
along with the prayer.

Is it really bothering you ?

Sorry man, Dades got there before you

Dades wrote: »

In before the inevitable "what harm does it do sure it's always been that way have you nothing better to complain about" post.

TwoShedsJackson

Geomy wrote: »

I think its only routine.
Probably half if not more just mumble
along with the prayer.

Is it really bothering you ?

Yes. Our elected representatives are supposed to be using their own brains to decide what to do, not beseeching help or guidance from some deity for which there is no proof of existence.

Delirium

They should alternate which prayer is said. I'd like to see the old Spiderman theme song put on the schedule :P

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUtziaZlDeE

Sarky

Alternate prayers would be a good start. Force them to pray to every god, and they'll soon realise the benefits of just not praying to any.

Geomy

Dave! wrote: »

Sorry man, Dades got there before you

I haven't been to the Dail yet, , but fair play to you for letting me know Dades was there before me when I wasn't even there in the first place :-D

Geomy

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Yes. Our elected representatives are supposed to be using their own brains to decide what to do, not beseeching help or guidance from some deity for which there is no proof

Ah surely we all know that.

Yes, supposed to be using their own brains isn'tssomething they're familiar with.

As I said, im sure they mumble along with the formalities.

What id love to know is, who is their advisors getting advice from ?

Id mumble along if I was getting their pay...

Geomy

Geomy wrote: »

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Yes. Our elected representatives are supposed to be using their own brains to decide what to do, not beseeching help or guidance from some deity for which there is no proof



Ah surely we all know that.

Yes, supposed to be using their own brains isn'tssomething they're familiar with.

As I said, im sure they mumble along with the formalities.

What id love to know is, who is their advisors getting advice from ?

Id mumble along if I was getting their pay...

Brian Shanahan

Geomy wrote: »

I think its only routine.
Probably half if not more just mumble
along with the prayer.

Is it really bothering you ?

I don't want to live in a country which privileges one group of people over everybody else, simply because they're stupid enough to believe in a badly written bunch of fairy stories.

SebBerkovich

Brian Shanahan wrote: »

I don't want to live in a country which privileges one group of people over everybody else, simply because they're stupid enough to believe in a badly written bunch of fairy stories.

Are we talking about the Irish Constitution now?

Brian Shanahan

SebBerkovich wrote: »

Are we talking about the Irish Constitution now?

Nah, the bible. I don't see any stories about snakes seducing women with apples in the Bunréacht.

SebBerkovich

Brian Shanahan wrote: »

Nah, the bible. I don't see any stories about snakes seducing women with apples in the Bunréacht.

i smell a Constitutional Referendum....

Speaking of the Bunréacht, is there anything in there requiring these prayers to take place?

Brian Shanahan

SebBerkovich wrote: »

i smell a Constitutional Referendum....

Speaking of the Bunréacht, is there anything in there requiring these prayers to take place?

Don't know and am currently too lazy to look through my copy of the Bunréacht.

Dave!

There shouldn't be a fada over that e, should there?

lazygal

Dave! wrote: »

There shouldn't be a fada over that e, should there?

Ah, sure we're all going to die anyway.

Brian Shanahan

Dave! wrote: »

There shouldn't be a fada over that e, should there?

I'm very Ankh-Morporkian in my use of fadas, I know they go somewhere, but don't care where.

rainbow kirby

Brian Shanahan wrote: »

Nah, the bible. I don't see any stories about snakes seducing women with apples in the Bunréacht.

The Bunreacht just wouldn't let them out of the house :pac:

swampgas

Brian Shanahan wrote: »

I'm very Ankh-Morporkian in my use of fadas, I know they go somewhere, but don't care where.

Cork County Council has exactly the same approach when it comes to road signs.

Geomy

Brian Shanahan wrote: »

I don't want to live in a country one group of people over everybody else, simply because they're stupid enough to believe in a badly written bunch of fairy stories.

You should write a letter and if that's not satisfactory,bring it to the European Court of human rights.

Because if you're going to let an oul prayer make you emigrate or contemplate leaving the country, there's something seriously wrong somewhere.

Have you spoken about this to any one besides in here.

That's some serious **** dude.

joseph brand

Geomy wrote: »

You should write a letter and if that's not satisfactory,bring it to the European Court of human rights.

Because if you're going to let an oul prayer make you emigrate or contemplate leaving the country, there's something seriously wrong somewhere.

Have you spoken about this to any one besides in here.

That's some serious **** dude.

Geomy

joseph brand wrote: »

I just don't understand why someone doesn't want to live here because of prayers in the Dail.

And it's something that the majority of people don't get upset or worried about.

In fairness Joseph are you thinking of not living here because of people praying in the Dail ?

jank

Geomy wrote: »

I just don't understand why someone doesn't want to live here because of prayers in the Dail.

And it's something that the majority of people don't get upset or worried about.

In fairness Joseph are you thinking of not living here because of people praying in the Dail ?

This is Ireland, everyone has a gripe about something. Everything is a controversy hence the lay of the land.