YOUR COMMENTS

Gene Robinson is an Episcopal Bishop - I think most intelligent people would expect a prayer involving Christ. Gene Robinson has all but brought the Episcopal church to its knees (not because he is gay - that's his personal business) but because he has made his "gay agenda", not the "church agenda" his first priority. If he really wanted to do God's work he would step down and let the Episcopal Church heal itself. Byrla of Merrimack
- Byrla, Merrimack

"What ever happened to John Lennon, who arrogantly spoke that he and his bandmates were more popular than Jesus Christ??"
- JW, Manchester

Chapman has given various reasons over the years for killing John Lennon. These reasons include his suffering from demonic possession (the devil made him do it) and his belief, at the time, that he was a real-life version of Holden Caulfield, the main character in author J.D. Salinger’s novel “Catcher In The Rye.” The Caulfield character is one that feels he must rid the world of “phonies,” and Chapman felt that Lennon, his one-time idol, had turned into a “phoney,” one who enjoyed immense wealth who at the same time held anti-capitalist, Marxist political views.

Don't rewrite history. If your god killed John Lennon by forcing the hand of Mark David Chapman, where will god's agents of death next strike? Surely there are people commiting evil around the world, perhaps even evil beyond a misstatement about their popularity in comparison with your jesus person.
- Dorothy, Concord

So, is there a point to all of this commentation on his sexuality? I don't believe he spoke about his bedroom activities during the prayer or inauguration...so why is it relevant? I happen to be a gay American, and I didn't even know that this guy was as well until I read this article and saw that so many of you have felt the need to bring that to the forefront as an issue. He gave a beautiful and well-intended prayer that made its best attempt to unite peoples of all faiths around a common cause. It was hardly sophmoric, and the writer of this article might want to go back to college him/herself. I would think that calling out homosexuality as an issue in this prayer is something more expected of a ten-year-old than a "reputable" newspaper. I don't think that I will be reading the UL any longer if these kinds of childish and ignorant remarks continue.
Lastly, Robroy from Littleton,CO...
you said "...is not compatible with the notion that one can reach nirvana by meditation and yoga nor the belief that one can reach heaven by becoming a suicide bomber and killing Israeli civilians."
You need to take a religion class or two and untangle those mentally impaired and closeminded notions of yours. Maybe if you understood any religion but your own, you might be inclined to retract your naive and ill-educated statements.
- Laura, Manchester

It seems that the majority are making it an issue because he is gay? Am I right? Why are you all focusing on his sexuality? It is irrelevant. He was calling for all religions to unite. It is not about Jesus, but about having faith or finding faith in a higher power whether it be Jesus or Buddha. I don't think I am going to waste my time on this useless paper either.
- JT, Manchester

Did the editor actually listen or read the text of the prayer? (We wouldn't know because there weren't any quotes in the UL article.) I read it, and it absolutely was in tune with Obama's theme and contained several Christian sentiments. Also, referencing God rather than Jesus was a way to resonate with people of all faiths ... Freedom of Religion. The Declaration of Independence references God, Creator, Supreme Judge etc. but not explicitly "Jesus", why don't you editorilize on how non-Christian that paper is as well!
- Chris, Weare

I have a question for you all that have children . How in the world do you explain to a child that is attending a religous service that what an " alternative lifestyle " is ?
Should sex / religion /homosexuality be discussed at the family dinner table ? give me a break . Religion yes
Personally , I don't care what homosexual people do. They have their rights ( it's America ) . What bothers me a bit is that religion ( any ) is involved in this . How does that work ?
- Lew, Manchester

Reading editorials like this anger me to no end. Gene Robinson's prayer was poignant and appropriate to the occasion. It is too bad that his sexual orientation has colored people's interpretation of his moving prayer. The oversight that caused the absence of his prayer in the HBO broadcast was unfortunate, but I do not believe that it was intentional. As a member of the NH Episcopal Diocese, I was disappointed to not see my bishop while watching the concert on Sunday. His prayer is one that can and will resonate with many Americans who are willing to set aside their homophobic fears, and accept Robinson as a man of God.
- Jillian Spring, Pembroke

I would have much rather had a Jewish Rabbi or Muslem Iman - or a holy man of any other faith - give the prayer at the opening of inaugural festivities rather than Bishop Robinson. At least that way we would have had some diversity in faith rather than sexual orientation at the ceremonies.
- Mike, Bedford

Jeff in Manchester---

You took the words right out of my mouth. These are some real "christian" comments. What does the bible say?Love your neighbor... unless he's "pushing his gay agenda" or doesn't say a prayer the way you want it said?

I'm a Christian- and I treat others the way I want to be treated. Isn't that the golden rule? If a man or woman is gay, then they deserve to be treated with the same respect I would want.
- Brian, Concord

Oh please! This was a beautiful statement, and a prayer in the tradition of Francis of Assisi. We do not need prayers or politicians to constantly tell us how good we are so that we might become complacent and boastful, but to make clear our failings so that we might rise above them and improve our world. Too often, as in Rev. Warren's speech today, we neglect our failings and the most needy among us. Bishop Robinson's prayer was not a political one--the means by which we are to rise above our failings is completely debatable; instead it was merely an acknowledgement of those failings, and a prayer imploring that we might note them and have the ability, and if you are a person of faith the assistance to do something about them.
- Michael Bellefeuille, Bedford, NH

For an editorial that apparently has an issue with Bishop Robinson's words, why isn't there a single quote from Sunday's prayer in this piece?
- Bob, Nashua, NH

As a Christian and an American, I appreciated this prayer. I don't believe Christ was "excluded." In praying to the "God of our many understandings," I believe that Bishop Robinson was praying to Christ. In the Christian faith, Christ is God and God is Christ. Together with the Holy Spirit, they are the Holy Trinity, one God. To separate Christ from God hints at polytheism
Also, I have met Bishop Robinson. He is a very peaceful man. Such peace is surprising given how many people in this world seem to hate him and wish him ill...
- Laura, Dayton, OH

Apparently, the "editor" did not read the script of the speech (which was great I might add). However, if this priest had not been gay, I'm sure he'd have been fine with it.

I'm really starting to think that this newspaper is living up to the nickname 'The Useless Leader". Not only is it a rubber-stamp for all things Republican, now it seems to be homophobic as well.

I think that I am going to start reading a different paper in the morning. Please call me when this newspaper is ready to live in the 21st century!
- Justin, Manchester

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. For all the talk of Christ, there isn't much Christian behavior in these comments.
- Jeff, Manch

WOW, What I am hearing in the majority of all these responses is just more hate. More Judgement!
God would be so proud you can quote scripture, but also disappointed you conflict it at the same time. Take your own inventory people! You certainly shouldn't be taking the inventory of others unless you are truly without your own being without sin. Think about it.
- Kay, Merrimack

Wait...what? Did I just read a reference to John Lennon being murdered as a result of a comment he made to the press?

That's nuts.
- JB, NB, NH

More homophobic nonsense from the UL editor.

But I suppose it sells papers.
- Leon, Manchester

HBO is ground zero in pushing the gay agenda with shows like 'Six Feet Under'. The main method is through desensitization, just like with violence. In a world of infinite choices, people need to be very much aware of their choices -- and their consequences.
- Steve, Manch

The Union Leader editorial board must have been listening to a different prayer that I heard. I thought that Bishop Robinson hit the right note for the occasion. This is not a Christian inaguration; it is an American inaguration. And the US is the land of many religions, all of them equal before the law.
- LJC, Manchester

In response to Karen Duffy:

Yes, God's hand is in action. Because of the technical difficulties, a small controversy has been cooking and now even more people are aware of his message.

Though I am myself a Christian and I was disappointed that Bishop Robinson turned his back on Jesus, I think it was in an attempt to reach the broad spectrum with a message of unity. YOu should read the whole text. It's quite moving.
- Elizabeth, Pasadena, MD (formerly of NH

I read the prayer on the Episcopal Cafe website.

It is without question the most moving public prayer I have ever seen. As intended, it was not an explicitly Christian prayer, but neither was it a non-Christian prayer.

All religions have much in common with one another, and each religion differs from all others. He stuck to what we all share.

It was heartfelt, laden with meaning, and brimming with hope for the future. One could not do better than that.
- Deacon Scott, Chicago IL

"God of many understandings?" Guess we know where this dope falls regading his own religion. It is just one of many, which, considering the middling nature of this messenger, might be fitting.

What a mundane mind. Take the "gay" out of Gene Robinson and all you are left with is an intellectually lazy "Religo-crat."

No wonder the Church continues to lose membership. Who would want to to be affiliated with any organization that would embrace mediocrity by exalting such a ninconpoop?
- William Simpson, Concord, NH

Thank God this did not get played where our children could have heard it. The Lord works in mysterious ways. This man is Satan who is dressed as a priest.
- Jay, Concord

Very well written editorial . The Obama staff really went out on the limb to have the so-called " Episcopal Bishop " be a speaker @ an inaugural event . Other than being a homosexual , what did he have to offer ?
- Lew, Manchester

"Don't be deceived, God will not be mocked". Through out scripture, those who have unrepentedly and/or arrogantly sought to publicly "speak for God" and assumed the role as His mouthpeice in a manner that is inconsistent with his word and teaching, find themselves being suddenly dealt with by a righteous and Holy God. Those who know the truth will see it and rejoice. Those outside the camp will think it an unfurtunate turn of events. What ever happened to John Lennon, who arrogantly spoke that he and his bandmates were more popular than Jesus Christ??
- JW, Manchester

Not all of your readers, nor are all of the citizens of this country Christian. Thus, Robinson is correct in excluding Christ. Concern for minority rights have never been a strong point on these editorial pages.
- Bill Siroty, Amherst

After reading the comments here I'm wondering about the intelligence level of people who read the Union Leader. Did you even read the prayer by Robinson? If so did you read it with the prejudgement that it was by a gay man so it has to be bad? The prayer was all about unity, all about understanding, taking care of, and loving ALL people. I cancelled my UL subscription last year because of the irrational and divisive editorials on the front page. This editorial just reinforces my decision. It is people like the editor and these commentors who should be ashamed of themselves. Also Robinson's prayer will be replayed today before the inaugauration for the whole world to hear. I say divine justice.
- Diane North, Hooksett

Mr. Robinson prays to the "god of our many understandings." Implicit in this is the Unitarian heresy that all gods are the same as the Judaeo-Christian God and hence by extension all religions are equivalent and "all paths that lead to the same mountaintop."

First of all this is illogical at the outset. Different religions have incompatible truth claims. 1) "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" is not compatible with the notion that one can reach nirvana by meditation and yoga nor the belief that one can reach heaven by becoming a suicide bomber and killing Israeli civilians. To say that the "truth" is a melding of all these is to simply create another incompatible truth claim (and prima facia silly one).
- robroy, littleton, co

Robinson is a side-show. The only reason he was there is because he is gay. And the only reason Obama was elected was because he is black. Content of their character? Nope....a race-based hire in Obama (the opposite of what MLK said he was striving for), and politically correct hand-out to the gay lobby.
- Fred, Rye

Don't feel too bad, apparently the microphone or speakers stopped working as soon as Robinson started his tirade, and only a few people at the front actually heard him. The vast 700 thousand more couldn't hear a word, and as the Obama inauguration team told HBO that Robinson's "prayer" was confined to the pre-show portion, it wasn't recorded or televised across the nation.

Perhaps God's hand in action? I think he's trying to tell Gene Robinson something, let's hope he listens.
- Karen Duffy, Manchester, NH