Appalled by clergy statements

To the editor:

I am appalled at the Christian leaders quoted in "Clergy Say Prayers Needn't Divide City" (July 25)! Jesus says explicitly, "whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father" (Matthew 10:33). Manufacturing a prayer that refrains from using the name of Jesus solely in order to please non-Christians amounts to denying Christ. These pastors lack the courage of their convictions.

Also mentioned is the notion that, since Christ himself didn't mention his own name in the Lord's Prayer, then we don't really have to mention his name either: hogwash! Of course he doesn't mention his name; he is the word made flesh! He doesn't have to SAY it: He IS it.

Perhaps it would be better to refrain from any prayer at these meetings. It appears that not all of the participants profess a belief in Jesus Christ, or even God, and so cannot pray in unity. To whom are they praying when the prayer is "generic" and acceptable to all? Even among Christians there will be disagreement as to the "proper" form of prayer; I doubt most Protestants would be willing to pray the rosary (or even one "Hail, Mary") at the public meetings, despite its scriptural basis.

Jay Boyd

Baker City