IN THEORY:Is prayer day inclusive enough?

Some have suggested that the National Day of Prayer, which was held Thursday, has taken on too much of a Judeo-Christian focus since the National Day of Prayer Task Force has organized it. The organization states on its website that the day of prayer is, "offered to all Americans, regardless of religion, to celebrate their faith through prayer. However, the efforts of the NDP Task Force are executed specifically in accordance with its Judeo-Christian beliefs." Are the National Day of Prayer activities inclusive enough?

I attend some functions with my interfaith group and have respect for all of my colleagues in other religions. But I must admit that I find the National Day of Prayer to be primarily a JudeoChristian event that I support but typically do not attend.

I do not agree with some who say that our country was based on fundamental Judeo-Christian beliefs or values. I have studied the founders of our country, and they were a diverse group with complex belief systems that played important roles in the writing of our Constitution — so important that they were clear in the necessity for separation between church and state.

I would hope that a National Day of Prayer might include prayers from all denominations.

PASTOR JIM TURRELL

Center for Spiritual Discovery, Costa Mesa

The task force's vision is "mobilizing the Christian community to intercede for America," to "foster unity within the Christian Church" and to "preserve America's Christian heritage." There is nothing "Judeo" to any of these goals.

It is time to expunge the shibboleth "Judeo-Christian." First, Judaism awaits a redeemer to come out of Zion, while Christianity proclaims a redeemer who has done so. Second, this phrase is often a code that justifies Christian theocratic agendas by wrapping them in a pluralistic cloak to establish legitimacy.

RABBI MARK S. MILLER

Temple Bat Yahm, Newport Beach