Sunday, August 02, 2015

Christian Prayer Outrages California City Council

Commissioners in Redwood City, near San Francisco, California, immediately suspended opening invocations at city council meetings after Pastor Stephen Converse of Grace Bible Church prayed to God Almighty for all citizens of the city and nation in a Biblical context regarding abortion and same-sex marriage.
“We pray for the leaders of this country and its leaders who have clearly turned from your ways, oh God.  We live in a society where the murder of human life in the womb has become commonplace and our country is being terrorized not by people from foreign lands but by the very people who are responsible to protect it. . . . Lord we know that no human has the authority to redefine morality, but we live in a country where the Supreme Court, this human court, has said that murder is not murder, marriage is not marriage, and family is not family.”
-- Pastor Stephen Converse
For background, read U.S. Supreme Court Ruling Allows Christian Prayer in Civic Meetings

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-- From "Redwood City Suspends Invocations at City Council Meetings" by Jean Elle, KNTV-TV11 (San Jose, CA) 7/30/15

No one interrupted Converse, who also serves as the city's volunteer police chaplain. But Mayor Jeff Gee later said the comments do not reflect the council's views.

"While I appreciate everyone's viewpoints, I do have to say tonight's invocation was not something I appreciate," Gee said.

Redwood City and San Mateo County LGBTQ Commissioner Jason Galisatus said a government meeting should be a place where everyone feels welcome.

City leaders and the police department plan to meet with the Redwood City Clergy Network to review guidelines for the selection of police volunteers.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Redwood City Suspends Opening Prayers At Council Meetings After Pastor’s Controversial Words" by Mark Sayre, CBS KPIX-TV5 (San Francisco, CA) 7/31/15

Speaking for himself, Galisatus says he feels the city is doing the right thing by reviewing the invocation process.

“And ensuring that the city council chambers remain a place that is safe for everybody,” Galisatus said.

In a written statement, Converse said, “It’s unfortunate that one simple prayer offered in good faith and concern for the moral welfare of our nation and community by a local pastor has garnered such heated criticism from the Redwood City Council.”

The pastor went on to say that he didn’t intend to offend anyone, but said sometimes the truth itself can be offensive.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "City puts prayer on hold: Pastor criticized gay marriage, abortion in council invocation" by Bill Silverfarb, Daily Journal 7/30/15

It wasn’t the first time Pastor Stephen Converse, from Grace Bible Church, opened a council meeting with a prayer but the first time he offered what was called offensive remarks.

“It’s unfortunate that a simple prayer has garnered such heated criticism from the council. I was invited there by them. In all honesty, I was addressing God, not man, based upon my own personal beliefs. I prayed for council and divine protection for our own police and firemen,” Converse said.

He considers the city’s act to suspend the invocations, however, as a “bit of an overreaction” but said he respects the decision.

The city has led its council meetings with invocations for decades without incident, Interim City Manager Aaron Aknin wrote in a statement Wednesday.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read how President Obama and his federal government agencies are elevating the Gay Agenda above religious liberty.

In addition, read Gay Agenda will be Complete when Christians are Muzzled, Say Homosexualists as well as Senator Ted Cruz Says the Gay Agenda Ends Christian Liberty