Speak Up for Faith at Home

Speak Up for Faith at Home

From the desk of Rabbi David Lyon

Last week, I spoke at Shabbat services on Friday night about the public display of the Ten Commandments and other Texas Senate bills that aim to infringe on the separation of church and state. Following a very positive reaction to the message, I sent an edited version to the Houston Chronicle for publication as an Op-Ed. They quickly accepted it with some further edits but preserved essential themes and conclusions. After it was published in the Chronicle on May 10th, it was widely read. From readers in Houston and around the region, and from Jewish readers to Christian evangelicals, there was overwhelming support to oppose the Senate bills that would place the Ten Commandments in all public classrooms, urge the hiring of chaplains instead of school counselors, and reserve time for prayer and prayer conversation during school hours. Readers who commented agreed that home is the place for personal prayer and expressions of one’s faith.

When we feel alone in our faith and hopes for religious freedom, take comfort in knowing that we’re not alone. Faith continues to be a personal matter despite politicians who speak only in the name of Christian faith. Here’s the link to the editorial. Please read it and share it, not for me, but for the sake of the message we need to speak aloud, and especially to those who think they speak for us.  

Click Here for the full Op-Ed

L’Shalom,

Speak Up for Faith at Home 3