I’m not entirely comfortable with the very idea of an official “congressional prayer service” to start off a new legislative term anyway, but Dawkins at American Corpophagia noticed a prayer at the event yesterday that, at least on the surface, sounded too offensive for words.
Several speakers acknowledging those suffering in Asia as a result of last week’s devastation, others merely acknowledged the significance of religion in America. Then there was Tom DeLay (who else?), widely known for his piety and commitment to the finest Christian principles, who took to the pulpit to recite from the Book of Matthew, starting with chapter 7, verse 21, which happens to deal with flood victims.
“Matthew 7:21. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
23. And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
24. Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
29. For he taught them as [one] having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Emphasis DeLay’s.)
That was it. DeLay added nothing and sat back down.
I’m no theologian, and I haven’t seen DeLay’s explanation for that particular choice of passages, but it sure sounds as if the former exterminator was saying “wise” men (like him) build their house upon a rock and “foolish” men build houses upon the sand, which are then destroyed by floods.
Of all the various responses to the tsunami devastation of 10 days ago, DeLay’s may be the most insane.