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Prayer plays an important role in today's world

| July 19, 2007 12:00 AM

Editor,

Did you read Leader editor Ethan Smith's column about "convenient Christians" last week? As a politician and a Christian, I found it very interesting.

Perhaps it's because of the separation of church and state, but most of us don't often talk about our faith. Still, we start every legislative session with a prayer.

Some prayers are in a Native American tongue, some are in song and last session we even had a prayer dance. Many of us find this start comforting.

After the prayer, we pledge allegiance to the flag. Representative Blasdel from Somers joked that then the bell rings for the first round of the fight.

In the Republican caucus meetings our Speaker, Scott Sales, would tell us to vote "your conscience, your constituents and your caucus" in that order. He never told us how to vote.

To me "your conscience" means that still small voice of the higher power. I had to call Speaker Sales about an interim meeting and I asked him how he defined "your conscience."

He agreed with my definition and said that for him it means vote as God directs you to vote. Often Scott is criticized for being very conservative. But many true believers are liberals and many are conservative.

You may remember that I was the Vice-Chair of the dreaded House Appropriations Committee. We get blamed for everything, especially the committee Chair, John Sinrud.

In our most difficult days, Chairman Sinrud called upon a representative with strong religious convictions to lead us in prayer. This was done in a private office in the Capitol.

I find prayer very comforting and calming. It directs my thoughts. It makes me a better speaker.

Like many pastors, my minister offers prayers to the leaders of our country and state. I am so humbled knowing that there are people in Montana praying for me in my job as a legislator.

Remember that I consider being a legislator a job and my constituents are my employers. So, I'll reword Speaker Sales direction and say that I vote my God, my employers and then my political party.

My sister lives in Moline, Ill., and works for the army at Rock Island Arsenal. She has been ill off and on for several years. I believe in the power of prayer. Please add her to yours.

I'll write about my interim committee, Finance, in the next month or so. Please continue to email me at jannataylor@montana.com

Call me at 849-6096 or write me at PO Box 233, Dayton, MT, 59914. I'm proud to work for you.

Janna Taylor

Dayton

Missing a ring? The Marines have it

Editor,

The Hellroaring Detachment #1041 of the Marine Corps League thanks all those individuals, companies and corporations who contributed both time and money to make this year's 4th of July parade and fireworks a great success. Without your generous support, we would not have been able to make this happen and, I hope everyone agrees, this was one of our best.

The Marines who manned the streets had a wonderful time collecting and meeting all those who gave so willing. We did end up with a ring in one of the buckets, so if your looking for a lost ring, give me a call (249 2250) and identify it and we'll get it back to you.

Mauri Morin

Hellroaring Detachment # 1041

Marine Corps League

Polson

Spirituality is on the increase

Editor,

Religion and politics! I have the feeling you were trying to stir things up with your July 12 editorial. You got my attention, anyway.

I'd like to respond to a few things you wrote.

". . . I feel our nation is less and less religious with each generation [and] society continues to move farther from God . . ." I feel exactly the opposite. Church attendance may be down, but I know that people today are far more apt to think and speak about "spiritual" concerns than they were just a generation ago. Books on spirituality abound. Consider the new impetus in the medical profession. Both patients and doctors are recognizing the value of treating the "whole" person. Physical, mental, and spiritual aspects are all being addressed. Prayer is receiving much more recognition today as a legitimate pursuit than it did a generation ago.

". . . more than 80 percent of people routinely tell survey folks that they believe in God [and that] tells us that people have a very difficult time telling a total stranger over the phone that frankly, they don't really give God much thought . . ." Again, I totally disagree. In my experience, people who identify themselves as atheists or agnostics have no trouble whatsoever in doing that. I think they actually enjoy telling people-strangers or otherwise — of their beliefs. If survey results say that 80 percent of Americans believe in God, then I think that 80 percent of Americans believe in God.

About "fair-weather Christians:" I have enormous respect for all the unselfish dedication that church members express in maintaining a place where anyone is welcome to come.

I also have respect for people who come just on Easter. My mom was in the latter group and she lived a loving and generous life. I am very grateful that we all have the freedom to follow our hearts in the matter of church attendance.

Finally, regarding Hillary Clinton: A few years ago, my job was to attend Congressional hearings and report back to the Federal agency for which I worked. I saw Senator Clinton a few times up close. She is definitely a good talker. The question for me was always, "Can you believe what she says?" That question still gives me pause. Further, when she was the First Lady, I tried (unsuccessfully, I fear) to understand her proposed revision to the U.S. Health Care System. People far smarter than I had similar trouble. Her convoluted proposal caused me to question her judgment. That question, also, still gives me pause.

Carol Cummings

Polson

70th wedding anniversary was really fabulous

Editor,

Thank you to our four beautiful daughters, Donna, Sandra, Carole and Mary Jo and their spouses for a weekend at Quinn's Resort celebrating our 70th wedding anniversary.

It was fabulous!

Francis and Loretta Wilson

Charlo