|
Calendar
|
This Week's Events
|
|
|
Lindsay city meeting opens with divine name
Posted on Tuesday 04 May @ 19:06:54 |
 By Roger Phelps, The Porterville Recorder
LINDSAY - An unusual divine name was invoked in an official prayer opening the Lindsay City Council meeting Nov. 9.
"In the name of Yeshua," was the way the Rev. Paul Leavens of Lindsay Christian Church closed his invocation officially beginning the council meeting.
After the meeting, Leavens said the name was "Greek for Jesus."
A Los Angeles County Superior Court ruling that said naming a specific deity in official prayer violates the restriction-of-religion clause of the U.S. Constitution means cities are exposed to legal liability if they fail to adhere to the decision.
In May, Porterville advised local pastors that invocations should not name any specific deity, such as Jesus or Allah. The court decision found that invocations during Burbank City Council meetings made the city appear to advocate Christianity, and exclude other religions. The issue has caused pastors to wrestle with newly conflicting demands of secular law and religious calling.
In Porterville, after the issue broke in May, picketers protested for weeks before council meetings. Pastors used council meetings' "public-comment" periods to offer prayers - legally - invoking Jesus Christ.
Leavens acknowledged his prayer could be viewed as invoking a specific deity.
"It's open to the law's interpretation," Leavens said after the meeting.
Strictly speaking, the English 'Jesus' derived from the Greek 'Ioesus.' 'Ioesus' derived from the Hebrew 'Yahushuah,' sometimes written 'Yeshua.'
The opening prayer at the Lindsay City Council's meeting June 22 also ended with the phrase "in the name of Jesus."
After that, Lindsay officials met with the incoming president of the local ministerial association on the matter, and followed with a letter, said City Manager Scot Townsend.
"We want to have both - have the prayers but adhere to the law," Townsend said Wednesday.
The understanding with the ministerial association was that "those who chose not to follow the court decision would not participate," Townsend said.
City Attorney Julia Lew said Lindsay officials would speak to Leavens on the matter. Leavens said he couldn't offer a specific reason for doing the Nov. 9 invocation the way he did.
"I don't know how to explain it," Leavens said. "I just felt I had to. It wasn't because I was trying to cause trouble. In my mind, it wasn't illegal."
Contact Roger Phelps at 784-5000, Ext. 1047, or rphelps @portervillerecorder.com
This story was published in The Porterville Recorder on November 15, 2004
|
|
 |
|
|
Comments -
Post Comment |
|
The comments are owned by the poster. We are not responsible for its content.
In Jesus name | (Score: 0)
by: on: Tuesday 16 November @ 19:13:52
|
Randy & I both read the article last night and talked about it.
Lately, we have been discussing the plight that many Christians will
soon find themselves in.
Yours is one example. We will be persecuted for naming the name of
Christ and it will only get worse.
The Sudanese Christians have been dying by the hundreds over the last
several years for doing this but it has only just begun in our country.
Thank you for standing up and being willing to call upon Yeshua to
bless our community. It is only because of him that we stand, breathe
and have our being. How is it that a court ruling can so easily hush up
Christians? Yet, it does nothing to quell a controversial mayor who
would allow gay marriages by the hundreds?? God help us all who are
called by HIS name. For there is no other name under heaven given among
men whereby we must be saved. We stand with you. God bless you pastor.
Norma
|
[
Reply ]
|
Pray in Jesus name a No No? | (Score: 0)
by: on: Tuesday 16 November @ 19:16:13
|
Paul I want to congratulate You on the stand you took at the council meeting.
The silent majority is beginning to wake up all over the world and it is
just about time
I see and read all the stupid stuff that is going on and then I wish I was
about 50 years
younger. Maybe I couldn't have made much difference, But sure would have tried.
Now I make it a matter of prayer.But then on the other hand, I realize God
Knows
what he is doing. Al
|
[
Reply ]
|
What happen to freedom to speak? | (Score: 0)
by: on: Tuesday 16 November @ 19:19:24
|
Very Interesting ~~~ What ever happened to the religious freedom Roger
Williams and Mary fought for and for which America was founded upon ~~~
Lynn
|
[
Reply ]
|
YEAH FOR YOU! Amen and amen again I say. | (Score: 0)
by: on: Wednesday 17 November @ 11:20:33
|
Plus the name Jesus is really no where in Scripture. Cannot remember when
they came up with that name but have the facts somewhere. Really a pagan
name. There was no "J" for many years after Christ.
We always say Yeshua or Y'shua - Guess I should not say "we" but I do as do
not want to insult my Lord and Precious Saviour with a pagan name! Just me
and understand why others continue with "Jesus".
Appreciate the article. Hope you don't mind if I pass on? It is great!
Will be praying that prayer will be okayed and legal.
May YHWH continue to bless you and yours.
Love, Brigitta
Brigitta Bancroft-Boggess
|
[
Reply ]
|
Amen! | (Score: 0)
by: on: Wednesday 17 November @ 11:23:19
|
I have lots of thoughts on this, but all I have to say right now is that I am praying for you "in JESUS' name" AMEN!!!
Your Brother In Christ,
Mike
|
[
Reply ]
|
Anger | (Score: 0)
by: on: Thursday 18 November @ 13:06:15
|
Thanks for the article. I don't no whether my emotion is anger or righteous indignation. I think of the apostle Paul speaking
of the memorial erected to "an unknown god".
I have been spending some time gleaning the message of Christ in the Olivet Discourse and His warning against being led
astray. These legal decisions against naming the intended receiver of prayer ante-Christ in their intent that I would find
it impossible to participate. Sort of like praying "To Whom it may concern".
Well, it is good to see you still are guided by the Lord and arousing satan's ire.
Love-Don & Nita
------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
[
Reply ]
|
More power to you | (Score: 0)
by: on: Thursday 18 November @ 18:05:01
|
| The same thing I thought about one of our preachers in Kansas who prayed for their state senate and he extensively prayed for the leaders to avoid the corruption, immorality, etc. Thank the LORD you have the faith to stand out and stand tall. More power to your witness. John Rowe
|
[
Reply ]
|
RE:More power to you | (Score: 0)
by: on: Wednesday 01 December @ 19:30:33
|
Paul I want to congratulate You on the stand you took at the council
meeting.
The silent majority is beginning to wake up all over the world and it is
just about time
I see and read all the stupid stuff that is going on and then I wish I was about 50 years younger. Maybe I couldn't have made much difference, But sure would have tried. Now I make it a matter of prayer.But then on the other hand, I realize God Knows what he is doing. Al
|
[
Reply ]
|
yes indeeded | (Score: 0)
by: on: Tuesday 17 February @ 19:29:42
|
| amen
|
[
Reply ]
|
WOW! | (Score: 0)
by: on: Saturday 26 September @ 18:52:03
|
| What happen to freedom?
|
[
Reply ]
|
|
|
|
|
Bible Verses
|
|
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
-- Proverbs 3:10
|
|
|
