As tensions between the US, Iran, and Israel continue, US President Donald Trump hosted a prayer meeting with several clergy members on March 5 (local time) in the Oval Office. During the event, pastors placed their hands on Trump, praying for him personally and for America's success in the conflict with Iran.
In a recent interview with DotDotNews on March 9, CPPCC member Peter Douglas Koon Ho-ming, criticized the public prayer session as "inappropriate." He argued that clergy should pray for peace and wisdom to resolve issues, rather than appearing to escalate tensions or calling for victory in war.
Koon expressed that the clergy's role should be to guide political leaders toward solutions that de-escalate conflicts, especially since the US-Israel-Iran tensions were initiated by the US, in his view. He stated, "Religious figures should not fan the flames of conflict. Instead, they should pray for wisdom and peace, not for further confrontation. This public display of prayer has turned into a political stunt."
According to Koon, religion should not interfere in political conflicts, as it risks becoming akin to a crusade. He added, "This attitude in the US, whether from clergy or others, reflects a mindset of absolute right versus wrong. Such binary thinking is not appropriate." Koon further criticized the publicized nature of the prayer, saying, "Prayers should be private, not used as a publicity tool. This is clearly a performance, as if to show that God has blessed them."
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