All together now

So, Georgia governor Sonny Perdue (could that name be more perfect?) is gonna gather a slew of god-lovers tomorrow to pray for rain. The ideologically godless plan to show up and protest this mating of church and state. Click here for details from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Seeing as how I am fond of using phrases like "Christian Taliban," you'd think I be firmly on the side of the Atlanta Freethought Society, whoever they are. Actually, I think they're missing the point, as well as an opportunity.

As bad as the drought has been here, it's been much worse in Georgia. People really are suffering, and there's no end in sight. It's going to have to rain a lot before their water situation gets back to anything like normal. Communal rituals in such a crisis are a good thing, even a necessary thing. I think Perdue sees this as a serious ceremony, but there will inevitably be a touch of whimsy about tomorrow's proceedings, and that's perfect. It'll acknowledge the depth of people's concern, and at the same time give them a chance to joke about it.

Yes, the fact that Perdue is going to lead this prayer is technically a violation of the separation of church and state, but trying to stop it is the wrong strategy. Since Sonny is the governor of all the people of Georgia, they should damn well all show up and demand inclusion. Pagans, Satanists and New Age astral travelers should be there with bells on. Atheists can send up a prayer to the Flying Spaghetti Monster, or just spend a moment in quiet contemplation of His Climatic Holiness Al Gore.

Why? Because sooner or later it's gonna rain, and you don't want Jehovah getting all the credit. This is a perfect opportunity to put a boot in the ass of Christian hegemony.

I believe as strongly in the separation of church and state as anybody, but pick your battles, people. It's the fanatics making policy, not the ones praying in the park, who are a threat to us all. If only we could keep all the religious nuts in the government busy with public prayer, we wouldn't have to worry about the stealth Christianity that is invading our lives, in everything from dwindling reproductive rights to the idiotic Character Counts curriculum--not to mention the obscene War on Terror, which is a Christian crusade by another name, official denials notwithstanding.


Pray on, Georgians. I hope you get some rain.


Photo from Wikimedia Commons