Juan Mendez Invokes Carl Sagan While Leading Arizona House Of Representatives Pre-Session Prayer

[Brainstormy]

Arizona State Rep. Juan Mendez (D) turned a Tuesday afternoon prayer into something much more.

The Phoenix New Times reports that Mendez, who is an atheist, changed the course of the event held prior to the House of Representatives' afternoon session. He asked lawmakers to refrain from bowing their heads and instead to view their surroundings.

"Most prayers in this room begin with a request to bow your heads," Mendez said, according to the Phoenix New Times. "I would like to ask that you not bow your heads. I would like to ask that you take a moment to look around the room at all of the men and women here, in this moment, sharing together this extraordinary experience of being alive and of dedicating ourselves to working toward improving the lives of the people in our state."

Mendez also invoked the words of Dr. Carl Sagan, the late astronomer whose words on atheism have lasted for decades.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/22/juan-mendez-carl-sagan_n_3316864.html?ref=topbar

[BillStein]

1. Bravo!

[Arugula Latte]

2. Wow!

That is incredible. How refreshing!

[Curmudgeoness]

3. Now that is the way it should be done.

Personally, I would never have come up with something as brilliant as that. In fact, if I were asked to lead a prayer meeting (much less attend one), I could not have done it justice. Saying to the people asking me to lead a prayer something like "are you shitting me" would not have been nearly as wise.

[amuse bouche]

4. This was so beautiful

Love this guy