How are city-led invocations unconstitutional?
So, how in the world did the very first Congress to this nation say a Christian prayer as the very first official act?
I mean, they certainly knew the Constitution, why this nation was founded, and understood the basic ideology of this nation.
Also, how in the world did George Washington, the military general that actually fought for a free nation, take his oath on a Bible, and add the words "so help me God" at the end of his Constitutionally required oath?
And why would every president (except three) follow that tradition?
And wow, "Congress appointed chaplains for itself and the armed forces, sponsored the publication of a Bible, imposed Christian morality on the armed forces, and granted public lands to promote Christianity among the Indians," (states Religion and the Founding of the American Republic, on the Library of Congress' website.)"National days of thanksgiving and of 'humiliation, fasting, and prayer' were proclaimed by Congress at least twice a year throughout the war."
And there are hundreds of other examples.
So, certainly, saying a Christian prayer prior to a city government meeting, must be unconstitutional, right?
Is there no common sense, critical thinking and proper historical analysis anywhere, to include the press?
Rob English
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Lack of downtown activity surprising
As a new citizen of this area and new business owner on Main Street, I was surprised by the lack of activity in the evenings and on the weekends down Main Street.
I was also surprised to see churches on Main Street — not because I am against churches, but because I was wondering how they would grow. There isn't a place to expand the buildings downtown for sure. They would surely have to move to bigger buildings or buy property and have those buildings built to suit their growing congregations — so why not do that to begin with?
Additionally, the parking is atrocious in the downtown area as it is, and to have church members competing with patrons of various businesses that may be opened at the same time, well, it can certainly be problematic.
Renda Brooks
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Pastor's comment could divide community
My concern about Pastor (Mark) Broadhead's comment about Crestview's elected council members actually planning and/or actually "selling the city's soul to the devil" is at best an over-reach.
It may look great as a headline, but it misses something in the process of building community, which should be a pastor's objective.
It is like playing the "Hitler card" — once played, communication is lost.
Bob Hollingshead
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Plenty of room for churches elsewhere
There's a serious difference between "religious persecution" and attempting to grow our Main Street area downtown.
Right now, the majority of stores aren't open on weekends and close at 4 or 5 p.m. every day, and those are thrift stores and churches.
There's plenty of room in the city of Crestview for new churches, expanding churches and relocating.
Get on board with building a better, bigger, newer and more attractive Main Street for the greater good of the city.
This will only bring more people and more revenue.
Breana Carlson Uptigrove
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Prefer downtown churches
As a mother of teens, I would much prefer my children to frequent a thriving church, rather than a club/bar.
Exactly what type of people are Crestview's leadership looking to lure downtown?
Deb Lambert-Welsh
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Churches are on every corner
There are literally churches on every corner in Crestview. A dime a dozen — pick or choose a flavor of the week. They are certainly not endangered because a new one pops up regularly.
Amber Nicole
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Downtown, businesses are better
To be honest, I'd rather have businesses that allow me to support local revenue than a church I will never visit.
It's all great if a church is there, but if businesses want to move in, that's even better.
Anything other than a church, gas station or law firm is a step in the right direction. We have too much of these on every street corner.
Sarah Hawkins
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Why does Destin have a say?
Why would growth management consultant Jack Dorman of Destin get to tell Crestview how to manage downtown?
Audrey Harvell McWaters
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Churches can mix with nightlife
My question is, exactly what kind of atmosphere are they trying to create that a church or two would not fit in well?
There are plenty of towns in the U.S. that have churches mixed in with their nightlife atmosphere.
It seems to work for them, why now Crestview?
Amanda Coffman
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New Orleans churches mix fine
There are churches in the French Quarter — not many places more vibrant than that.
Loree Arrington
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This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: HUBBUB: Lack of downtown activity surprising, pastor's comment could divide community