Congressman Joins Ministers to Anoint and Pray Over Obama Inaugural Walkway

[Are_grits_groceries]

In a first for presidential inaugurations, Congressman Paul Broun (pronounced BROWN) of Georgia joined the Reverends Rob Schenck (pronounced SHANK) of Faith and Action and Patrick J. Mahoney of the Christian Defense Coalition, both based in Washington, DC, in a prayer service inside the US Capitol today that included anointing the doorway President-Elect Barack Obama will pass through on his way to the platform to be sworn in as the 44th president of the United States on January 20.

"Anointing with oil is a rich tradition both in the Bible and in the history of the US Capitol," said Rev. Schenck. "Oil symbolizes consecration, or setting something apart for God's use. George Washington used oil during the dedication of the US Capitol. We used oil today to set apart the walkway and doors that will be the literal right of passage for Barack Obama as he ascends to the highest office in our land."

Rep. Broun spoke during the 10-minute prayer service, delivering a short sermon-like talk on the need to obey God and His will, and for the future president to do what is right. Rev. Schenck read Bible passages and applied sacred oil to the doorposts of the arched doorway leading out of the Capitol and onto the inaugural stage, immediately in front of the riser where Obama will stand with Chief Justice John Roberts who will administer the Oath of Office. Rev. Mahoney, who is undertaking a 21-day fast and daily prayer schedule for Mr. Obama across the street from the White House, read an inaugural prayer by Dr. Billy Graham delivered 40 years ago.

Congressman Broun referred to the location of the prayer service as "the doorway that (President-Elect Obama) will enter through to the start of his presidency."
http://www.earnedmedia.org/faa0107.htm

Why is Obama the first for this "honor"? I would love to anoint some of their church portals.

[LeftishBrit]

1. I remember reading that John Ashcroft used to get himself anointed with oil..

whenever he took a new job. And on one occasion when he didn't have time for a proper service, he got his father, a preacher, to anoint him with Crisco cooking oil!

[Are_grits_groceries]

2. He lost the Mazola vote then. nt

[kenny blankenship]

3. The further we remove church from the state the safer we will all be

This little bit of wackjobbery above -with the Crisco and the chanting and stuff- is just a reminder of that general principle. Crazy in small matters is a good sign of crazy in great matters. Beware these people. Do not invite them into your house. Do not welcome them into the halls of government.
You will not co-opt them, they will co-opt you.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

4. wow...it only took three posts for someone

to pull separation of church and state out of their ass related to a post about someone issuing a blessing on an elected official...not a record, but pretty close...

sP

[kenny blankenship]

5. I'm sorry I wasn't quicker

[ProdigalJunkMail]

6. yup...that much is obvious n/t

[notadmblnd]

7. They didn't bless the official, they blessed the doorway

and all that's going to do is collect dust and dirt.

[Kittycat]

8. It doesn't matter... To them, it's sending good will, blessings and protection on his 'house'

It's completely harmless, and not a state sanctioned event - so who cares. I'd rather have them praying for Obama, than against him.

[Bucky]

9. Correction

It will collect holy dust and sacred dirt.

[Fumesucker]

10. Why is Obama the first for this "honor"?

Think of it as a form of exorcism.

:rofl:

[TlalocW]

11. Wackjobbery

I'm sorry, but all this effort to grease up inanimate objects so that they somehow have good juju? Is this like the Empire Strikes Back where Luke can sense some rocks and caves are powerful with the dark side of the force?

TlalocW

[stopbush]

12. The BS never ends with these self-important religious nuts.

[FLAprogressive]

13. Paul Broun is the craziest of all the far-right loons in Congress.