Larry Langford, the mayor of the city of Birmingham, Alabama, has declared today, Friday April 25th, 2008 as a "day of prayer in sackcloth and ashes" in response to the city's high homicide rates:
Birmingham Weekly reported two weeks ago that the mayor purchased 2,000 burlap sacks for ministers and other community leaders to wear at a Plan 10/30 summit.
To many Christians, sackcloth and ashes symbolize humility and repentance, but the mayor’s decree came dressed with the usual accoutrements - printed on fine, invitation-stock paper and wrapped in a bright silver folder, adorned by the magic hat logo Langford commissioned for the city last year.In the decree, Langford said that Birmingham’s crime problem “pails” (sic) in comparison to the biblical City of Nineveh.
The proclamation tells the Bible story of Jonah and the city of Nineveh: “Whereas Chapter 3, verse 5 & 6, of the Book of Jonah, Old Testament states, that the people of Nineveh believe God and proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth from the greatest of them even to the least of them,” the resolution reads.
In the proclamation, the mayor puts himself parallel with the King of Nineveh (Jonah 3:7) who, wearing sackcloth and ashes, joined his citizens in prayer.
Link | Article at The Birmingham News - Thanks Charles K!
(Photo: acnatta [Flickr] - Thanks Andre!)
A man of faith should be happy in his community, glad that he lives in a tolerant country and proud to hold public position. He should not, however, feel that the captive audience of those he serves should be subjected to religious proclamations, especially ones *sent out on the city's letterhead.*
Government money, power and position used for religious causes, hmm? It's always impressive to see how bold people can be in violating the American constitution.
but prayer without action is just like pissing on a forest fire.
I think some of you may be interested in seeing what some folks thought about the proclamation, including myself.
Cheers!
I've added the attributions to the post. Thank you for adding that to the Creative Commons!
Their education levels "pail" in comparison to other states, out-of-control homicide rates, blurring of the lines between the functions of church and state, and epidemic -- yet completely preventable -- health problems (obesity and its related issues).
Way to capitalize on your opportunities, Birmingham!
Furthermore, wouldn't it be more practical to actually do something about the problem? I seriously doubt that murderers are going to be swayed by a bunch of Bible thumpers in sackcloth.