Occupy Faith DC will be hosting the People's Prayer Breakfast on Thursday, February 2nd at 7:30 a.m. at the Church of the Pilgrims in Washington D.C. According to its website, the People's Prayer Breakfast is intended to show solidarity with those who suffer economic inequality and hardship. The message of the gathering, meant for corporate interests, political leaders, and Americans in general, is that "there is enough for everyone." Occupy Faith DC, an interfaith coalition supporting the Occupy movement in the capital region, welcomes attendees and donations for the event.
The People's Prayer Breakfast was created as an alternative to the annual National Prayer Breakfast, an elite gathering of faith, business, and political leaders sponsored by a conservative Christian group called the Fellowship (a.k.a. The Family). First established in 1953, the National Prayer Breakfast has counted U.S. presidents and world leaders as its attendees. Jeff Sharlet described the history and content of the National Prayer Breakfast in his 2008 book, The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power. The People's Prayer Breakfast website acknowledges that good things have come out of the National Prayer Breakfast, but that new institutions are needed that speak to the faith of the grassroots rather than the elite.
Hat tip to Huffington Post. For more information or to register for the People's Prayer Breakfast, click here.
Sounds like a good alternative. Thanks for posting.
ReplyDeleteDonna -- My pleasure. If I didn't have a presentation at work that day, I'd love to attend myself.
ReplyDeleteI love how people are becoming more aware of the special interests that inappropriately pull so many strings in Washington. I read "C Street" this past summer while we were on vacation per your recommendation. You are an excellent source for reliable information, Ahab. I've mentioned this before but I rely on your blog for a lot of information I may not otherwise discover.
ReplyDeleteCognitive Dissenter -- That means a lot to me. It makes it all worth it to know that I'm informing people. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with the basic intent...I wonder about the argument that "there is enough for everyone". I honestly am not sure that is true, if "enough" means living like a middle class or upper working class family with two cars, a 2000 square foot house 30 miles from work (each way). That's one of the issues that is not really talked about...maybe "the middle class lifestyle" is NOT sustainable in any way.
ReplyDeleteI know that's not the main point of this effort (which seems great to me as an alternative)...but still
Brian -- They're overconsumption in the U.S., to be sure. I don't know enough about the event itinerary to say whether this will be discussed, though.
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