Senate bans pastor after he condemns same-sex marriage (criticized for citing Jesus twice in prayer)

Star Ledger ^ | 12.13.06 | JEFF DIAMANT

[Coleus]

The Rev. Vincent Fields says he didn't plan to speak out against same-sex marriage when he offered the invocation at the opening of the Senate session on Monday. At first, he prayed for wisdom and understanding for the senators. But then, the Absecon pastor recalled yesterday, "the Holy Spirit took over, and I had to pray what he said."

What Fields said next -- on a day a Senate committee advanced a bill allowing civil unions for same- sex couples -- has gotten the pastor banned from giving future Senate invocations. "We curse the spirit that would come to bring about same-sex marriage," Fields said in the Senate chamber. "We ask you to just look over this place today, cause them to be shaken in their very heart in uprightness, Lord, to do that is right before you."

The invocations are not supposed to be political or divisive, Senate President Richard Codey said. But Fields, who runs a non- denominational church, provoked a lot of comment. Asked if he felt Fields had gone out of bounds, Codey said, "Absolutely. Positively. Yes. He will not be back." The Senate opens every voting session, there were 15 this year, with the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation given by a pastor, who receives $100.

Most clergy who give the invocations through the year are recommended by state lawmakers, and represent the diversity of religious groups in the state. Fields, however, was recommended by a staffer in the office of Ellen Daven port, Secretary of the Senate. Fields, 46, also was criticized for citing Jesus twice in his prayer. The invocations are usually non-specific to any religion.

[Coleus]

Dick Codey is the Senate President and former acting Gov. of NJ; his sister is a nun with the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth.  He is against school choice, school vouchers and tuition tax credits.    He votes yes for abortion legislation, wrote the Clone and Kill and the embryonic stem cell research bills and is leading other legislation to fund the stem cell institute. So much for Faithful Citizenship.  

 

Did you also notice that the Senate opens each session with a "prayer" and the pledge?  It's too bad they can't extend and offer the same custom and tradition in the state's public schools.

E-mail Senators Codey and Weinberg

[BipolarBob]

Somehow I feel as though if he had offered a less specific or less condemning prayer "in the name of Allah or Mohammed" it would have been okay.

[muawiyah]

Not surprising at all to find the New Jersey Senate censoring a preacher ~ after all, religion is anathama to that gang.

What is unusual here is they didn't shoot the man and encase him in cement for later disposal at sea.

Guess they're getting soft.

[mc5cents]

The invocations are usually non-specific to any religion.
If that's the case, then what's the point of having one?

Indeed. But I suspect that what is meant by "non-specific" really means 'don't mention Jesus'. What nonsense. What outright prejudice.

[Manic_Episode]

God bless the courageous, uncompromising Rev. Vincent Fields.

[fredhead]

Note my tagline......

[444Flyer]

Hey N.J. Senate! Read Revelations 21:8.

[mc5cents]

Yes, I am christian by the grace of God also. The two things I am most thankful for are that I was given the christian faith and that I was born in this great nation. I thank God every day for those blessings.

[VaBthang4]

So I take it that the Pastor is not a Loserdopian?

[stevio]

This is a battle my friends. It's between God and Satan. Everyone will choose sides. Good luck.

[AliVeritas]

I pray he shook the dust from his feet and didn't look back.

Thank you Lord for the gift of the holy spirit!

The writing was on the wall and Codey is obstinate.

Which circle would that be Coleus?

[AliVeritas]

I need his sister's name.

[444Flyer]

"This is a battle my friends. It's between God and Satan. Everyone will choose sides. Good luck."

Absolutely. I just found this and nearly fell out of my seat reading it.

Revelation 20:4:

"I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw those who had been BEHEADED because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years."

Not ironic that it's the jihadist's choice of death for infidels.

[spintreebob]

At first, he prayed for wisdom and understanding for the senators.

Apparently his prayer was not answered in the affirmative

[good old days]

Indeed.

[panuke]

"The two things I am most thankful for are that I was given the christian faith and that I was born in this great nation. I thank God every day for those blessings."

Oh my gosh, my mom just said that exact thing to me on Monday. She also added though that she also thanks God that He picked the parents that He did for her and not other's.

[Old Professer]

I wonder what the Great Pumpkin would have to say on this?