Amen and a-woman

[xjx388]

Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, this isn't that big a deal but I do think it's worthy of discussion. Rep.Emmanuel Cleaver D-MO closed the Congress' opening prayer with "Amen and a-woman."

Now, I am all for inclusivity and recognizing gender inequalities and all that; but, "Amen" has nothing to do with gender or inclusivity. I think it's a bit ridiculous and over-the-top to use a completely made up "term" like "a-woman" as if that is somehow, in any way, leveling the playing field for women or even just recognizing the equality of women. I think it's a moment that conservatives can use to make progressiveism in general (I linked to Fox News because they are all over that angle) look radical and stupid. It's not helping anything at all and only adding fuel to further division.

Of course, I think the whole idea of an "opening prayer" is a bit ridiculous but that's a whole 'nother discussion...

 

[Darat]

What? Is he really that dumb?

 

[pgwenthold]

Of course, I think the whole idea of an "opening prayer" is a bit ridiculous but that's a whole 'nother discussion...

No, it's not. It is the WHOLE discussion.

If you are going to insist on having an opening prayer, then more than anything, you can't dictate how that prayer is said.

You can't have an opening prayer and then complain that the person didn't pray right.

 

[varwoche]

Politically correct syllables.

 

[Olmstead]

Lighten up?

 

[Resume]

Can you kneel during the opening prayer?

 

[Dr.Sid]

Opening prayer ? Oh, USA, you're funny. Anyway, good joke with the a-woman.

 

[Ron Obvious]

Meaningless virtue signalling and empty symbolism. There's a lot of it about lately.

 

[Dave Rogers]

Poor etymology, if you ask me. The prefix 'A' implies negation, so in effect he's practising positive discrimination in favour of men.

Dave

 

[wareyin]

Maybe, in the grand scheme of things, this isn't that big a deal but I do think it's worthy of discussion. Rep.Emmanuel Cleaver D-MO closed the Congress' opening prayer with "Amen and a-woman."

Now, I am all for inclusivity and recognizing gender inequalities and all that; but, "Amen" has nothing to do with gender or inclusivity. I think it's a bit ridiculous and over-the-top to use a completely made up "term" like "a-woman" as if that is somehow, in any way, leveling the playing field for women or even just recognizing the equality of women. I think it's a moment that conservatives can use to make progressiveism in general (I linked to Fox News because they are all over that angle) look radical and stupid. It's not helping anything at all and only adding fuel to further division.

Of course, I think the whole idea of an "opening prayer" is a bit ridiculous but that's a whole 'nother discussion...

Regarding the highlighted, of course they are! It's not like there's this whole huge story about the President they've bent over backwards to support maybe committing (another) crime. Let's pretend that isn't happening and make hay over something so trivial!

Regarding the story Fox would rather we focus on instead, first it's not like "amen" is not a made up word. The definition from dictionary.com is literally "an utterance of “amen.”" And secondly, without any information on the prayer itself, how do we know it wasn't intended to be a silly word play?

 

[JoeMorgue]

When you virtue signal during an action as meaningless as praying does it cancel out?

 

[JoeMorgue]

I've heard plenty of feminist unironically used the word "herstory" instead of "history."

 

[xjx388]

No, it's not. It is the WHOLE discussion.

If you are going to insist on having an opening prayer, then more than anything, you can't dictate how that prayer is said.

You can't have an opening prayer and then complain that the person didn't pray right.

I would say that, if one is sincerely Christian and prayer is at all meaningful, "praying right," is of paramount importance. To people that care (ostensibly any Christian; but, in this context, especially Conservative Christians) corruption of prayer for political purposes is sacreligious.

You don't have to convince me that Conservative Christians are hypocritical, etc. All I'm saying is that this is an easy way to give them a talking point that plays well with their base and even with some sincere Christians on the left. It was completely unnecessary and doesn't serve the cause of equality.

 

[xjx388]

Regarding the highlighted, of course they are! It's not like there's this whole huge story about the President they've bent over backwards to support maybe committing (another) crime. Let's pretend that isn't happening and make hay over something so trivial!

Regarding the story Fox would rather we focus on instead, first it's not like "amen" is not a made up word. The definition from dictionary.com is literally "an utterance of “amen.”" And secondly, without any information on the prayer itself, how do we know it wasn't intended to be a silly word play?

"Amen" is not a "made up word."* It's in the earliest bibles and derives from Hebrew meaning "so be it." It's a huge part of the Judeo-Christian tradition. And I would say that for anyone who is a sincere Christian (or wants to play at sincerity to score points), "silly word play," does not belong in prayer.

As I said, my real point has little to do with the religious aspects, whether or not prayer even belongs in politics, etc. The point is that it's an own goal for the progressive movement and doesn't serve the cause of gender equality.



*Every word is "made up" to represent something at some point in it's etymology so let's not go down that semantic rabbit hole, please.

 

[pgwenthold]

I would say that, if one is sincerely Christian and prayer is at all meaningful, "praying right," is of paramount importance.

And when you say a prayer before congress, there is no such thing as "praying right" or "praying wrong."

Who says he is "sincerely Christian"? Who gets to make that decision?

 

[TragicMonkey]

I've heard plenty of feminist unironically used the word "herstory" instead of "history."

How about "heresy", what's the male equivalent? "Hisesy"? TragicMonkey's views on the archons is hisesy in the eyes of the Valentinian Gnostics. Yes, that works.

 

[Thermal]

Hey, it took these numbskulls generations of swearing on the Bible before they figured out that Christians are specifically forbidden to swear an oath, and to just say yea or nay. Baby steps regarding their practicing of religious propriety in State functions.

Wait, what?

 

[Cavemonster]

Either a bit of ignorance or an awkward attempt at wordplay.

Whichever, it was unlikely to be the dumbest thing said by elected officials that day in public, and very far down the list things that effect us in any way.

 

[Suddenly]

All I'm saying is that this is an easy way to give them a talking point that plays well with their base and even with some sincere Christians on the left.

lol

The left Christians would not care as being judgmental isn't generally a big thing with that crowd.

More importantly, worrying about what a bunch of bad faith atavistic morons will turn into a "talking point" does nothing but legitimize their nonsense by giving them power over discourse. Which essentially is why the Democratic Party has been largely useless since about 1980.

Being careful to not rile up the racist uncle at Thanksgiving has not proven to be a winning long term political strategy.

 

[Suddenly]

And when you say a prayer before congress, there is no such thing as "praying right" or "praying wrong."

Who says he is "sincerely Christian"? Who gets to make that decision?

I think it used to be Billy Graham. Now I'm not so sure. I think Newt Gingrich, but that can't be right...