Dave Welch, head of the U.S. Pastor Council, recently sent out a letter further damning Rep. Shapiro and the Texas Senate for allowing an imam to provide the opening prayer one day last week. The U.S. Pastors Council is really just a group of pastors in Houston, Austin and Virginia who believe that, “Very frequently, the ministers who speak out publicly represent a much more liberal viewpoint than what we believe to represent a majority of pastors and churches. We have changed that.”

I’ll be sure to let Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, David Barton, James Dobson and the rest of the (mainly) Colorado Springs crowd know that’s what the USPC thinks of them.

I have to quote the entire e-mail without comment because it’s so ridiculous and pretty much speaks for itself.

From: U.S. Pastor Council
By: Dave Welch
Date: April 6, 2007

Pastors Around Texas Oppose Islamic Prayer
Senator Shapiro Defends Her Action

As many of our pastors around the state declared strong opposition to the Islamic prayer given by a Khomeini-sympathizing Imam, Senator Florence Shapiro is sending out a form letter attempting to explain – rather rationalize – this offensive action. While many have rightly focused on the issue of timing – that this would occur during the Jewish Passover and the Christian Holy Week leading to Easter – there is a much larger question that the church had better understand and decide to engage in the debate. The State Capitol is not a church, however under our founding principles and according to Biblical principles, it only has legitimate authority as given by the people, “on loan from God” as a prominent radio personality states.

“…One nation, under God…”? Which God? Whose God? All gods? The agenda of multiculturalism combined with the shallow and bankrupt theology of comfort, convenience, pleasure and security prevalent in much of the evangelical church today has nearly destroyed the historic Judeo-Christian consensus that was the foundation of American culture, laws and faith. All religions are NOT equal, or they would produce equal results. There are two reasons why Muslims from around the world are emigrating to the United States; to enjoy the peace, freedom and opportunities they do not enjoy in ANY Muslim-dominated country, and/or to “Islamicize” this country.

What should our response be? Pastor Joe Salcido of El Paso, Texas wrote this after hearing the prayer given by the Iman in the state Senate:

“My spirit is so grieved after listening to a portion of the reading by the Islamic Imam. I could not finish listening because my heart was fully rejecting every word spoken. This was an imposter spirit, the spirit of the antichrist. I am also upset with myself as a Pastor, that this happened in my state on my watch. May our God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have mercy on us and give us wisdom and boldness to raise a new the standard of holiness in our political arena. It is our job, it is my job.”

Should we allow all prayer of all religions so that any prayer at all will be “allowed” in our legislature? Should we go the way of many states and ban prayer in favor of poetic readings, Wiccan chants, Tribal rituals, or anything that does not invoke “God” or certainly the name of Jesus Christ? Pastors, too many of us have been asleep for too long and the hour is late. If we believe that we have a duty to, or even that there is value in protecting the Christian basis of our society, culture and laws, it is time to stop worrying about who we may offend and start worrying about Whom we have already offended by denying Him before men.

Pastor Paul Golden of Alvin, Texas did not mince words in his response to Senator Shapiro and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst:

“April 4, 2007

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst;

Members of Congress of the State of Texas:

How could this happen? Below is a copy of my letter to Senator Florence Shapiro;

Dear Senator Shapiro:

The founding fathers of the great State of Texas began our Constitution with these words, “Humbly invoking the blessings of Almighty God, the people of the State of Texas, do ordain and establish this Constitution.”

Although mankind recognizes many beings, creatures and things as god, our Christian Founding Fathers were clear when they prefaced whom they were addressing with the definitive term “Almighty.” They, like Hezekiah of old prayed to the LORD, ALMIGHTY!

‘And Hezekiah prayed to the Lord: 16 “O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. 17 Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open your eyes, O Lord, and see; listen to all the words Sennacherib has sent to insult the living God.’ (Isa 37:15, NIV)

Article 1. Section 22 of the Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution states, “Treason against the State shall consist only in levying war against it, or adhering to its enemies, giving them aid and comfort; . . . “

In my books, Senator Shapiro, you are adhering to our enemy and giving them aid and comfort by your actions. At this very moment young men and women from Texas are fighting on the soil of Muslims who in the name of their god allah wrought acts of war on The United States of America. How dare you allow that name, the name in which people of many nationalities died on September 11, 2001, that name that is used as a battle cry to incite hatred toward our great Nation which Texas is a part of, that name, to be uttered in a prayer offered in the Texas Senate today.

Your disrespect for the Christian principles that this great State of Texas and The United States of America is appalling to say the least. May the words spoken to Sennacherib for his insolence toward God and His people fall on you:

‘Who is it you have insulted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! 24 By your messengers you have heaped insults on the Lord. 29 Because you rage against me and because your insolence has reached my ears, I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth, and I will make you return by the way you came.’ (Isa 37:23-24, NIV)

Outraged:

Dr, Paul D. Golden

Pastor, Light Christian Center

Pastors and Christian citizens it is time to make a personal decision as well as a corporate commitment; “How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him..” (1 Kings 18:21) We are also called to, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 18:21) Please join us in humbly but boldly raising the standard of holiness, righteousness and justice in our homes, churches, communities and government once again, beginning with a refusal to allow the equalization of false gods and religions of evil with our faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob through Jesus Christ, His Son.

Christians spend a lot of time worrying about divorces (aside from their own), but the real issue is their divorce with reality. Irreconcilable differences, anyone? (At least until we actually get an education system in Texas.)