beautifully done!
Joe Alaimo Western
Colorado Atheists & Freethinkers
Public services are
those that are soles essentials of modern lives that, for moral reasons, [are]
considered fundamental human rights. It’s the day to day job of a public
servant to provide those rights to as many as possible. The right to clean
water and the right to live in dignity and peace are examples of these.
These services are
not belief-based. They are the same for all men and women, all religions, and
all walks of lives.
Sometimes, public
servants, face ingratitude or hostility when they disagree with members of the
public and that is unfortunate.
The served must never
forget to be grateful for those who choose public service. One can disagree
with a policy but one needs to do so with civility and with dignity so that we
may share the greater goal of living together in a free society.
For their part, the
public servant must never fail to respect the dignity of those with different
opinions or beliefs. It would be easier to govern in a world with one
mind but the price would be too great.
So today, I thank
you, and the 16% of non-religious citizens thank you, for accepting an atheist
to give what has historically been a religious invocation.
But there is one more
thing I would ask: Many believers and non-believers alike dream of a day when
the strength to take on the task of public service need not be found by bowing
the head, closing the eyes, and praying for it. Instead, we hope for a day when
whomever chooses to serve, in whatever capacity, can lift their head, open
their eyes, and with compassion and reason find strength in the hands,
hearts, and eyes of their brothers and sisters.
One day, perhaps
today, we will have reached that greater goal. Thank
you.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2011/01/08/atheist-delivers-invocation-to-grand-junction-city-council/
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