Pelican,

As I thought, you have absolutely nothing.

The separation of powers is precisely to prevent the church from exercising legislated powers over parliament. The vague influences of the population's belief system is something entirely different and has nothing to do with the separation of powers.

As for reciting the lord's prayer, it is a recognition of the heritage of the country, just as the man walking ahead with the ceremonial sceptre. I care for neither, and would be just as happy if everyone wandered in wearing shorts and sandals and sat down to a day's work. But many others feel differently, but on a scale of 1 to 10 of importance it ranks a zero.

Belly...The greens push some different points of view.

leave it at that....If you have a problem with me, at least be man enough to say it to my face...:) Greens - pursuing issues that no one knew existed!

Belly...look at it from my point of view...we all have the right to an opinion:)....

Planet3

Dear Is Mise,

<<How about 'broadly acceptable'?
But tolerated will do for the purpose of the exercise.

You got anything to say about the other religions that I mentioned?>>

Islam considers Jesus ("Nabi Isa") a "minor prophet" and the new testament as part of "Al Kitab", so it has no problem with "Our Father".

Hindus have no problem with this prayer as they are very used to variety - although many would prefer "Our Mother".

Most Buddhists would like this prayer even though they wouldn't agree with the Judaic term 'Father', but any Buddhist would at least tolerate it.

I know of no religion (as I don't count Satanism as a religion) that would not at least tolerate "Our Father".

The one religion I suspected most would have a problem with "Our Father" is Wicca, so I looked up and found that even Wicca tolerates this prayer as "This is the first evolutionary rung on the spiritual ladder. Not in historical chronology, but in spiritual development... While these forms of relationship with the Divine are presented as levels or stages of evolution, none is wrong or less than another. Each is a way of relating to the Truth, which is perfectly appropriate for people at different places on the journey Home." - http://www.wicca-spirituality.com/relationship-with-divine.html

And there was even an attempt to combine the two in: http://ladycerridwenbrighidmorrigan.wordpress.com/2011/03/04/a-christo-pagan-prayer-the-lords-prayer/

So probably the only practical implication is that a Jew could not take the chair in parliament.

Thank you Yuyutsu.

We may take it then that the claims that this particular prayer is offensive to a large portion of the population to be mere speculation by those desperate to claim a bit of the limelight.

The Lord's prayer was originally used by Essene Jews and Jesus taught the same to his disciples. [It is not a prayer to Jesus but to the Lord] So Jews should not find it offensive as no concept contained in it differs from their faith [Cp Psalm 23: 1 "The Lord os my shepherd"]. Muslims uphold Jesus as a prophet and respect his teaching. The only ones who would object are atheists of varying degrees, as they see themselves as the highest authority.
Think about the words.
Our Father - who occupy the spiritual realm of power.
Holy be your character. Name = character
Your kingdom be revealed = may purity rule our world.
Thy will be done on Earth - May your highest values rule our world.
Give us today our basic needs - manage the environment and our resources well so our needs are met.
Forgive us where we have violated another's character and help us be forgiving of others violations.
Lead us not into temptations of dishonest dealings, lying or deceiving.
For your government reflects true holiness and purity.

YES! lets get rid of all these values and may we never be reminded that Government should not consider these things. Where does this leave atheists? Lets have a look at their values. Do they differ?
Posted by Josephus, Wednesday, 15 January 2014 9:25:16 AM

Josephus, it has been proved many times over that one does not have to believe in any god in order to be a good or decent person.

Chanting meaningless words (to most politicians in parliament I would suggest) of an ancient prayer to an invisible being in the sky, before commencing the day in parliament is a ridiculous waste of time.

They can do that at home, or in their church, or quietly in their own time.
It is actions, not words, that we want from our politicians.