At our meeting on August 1st (2002) several members commented about being uncomfortable giving an invocation with religious tones in a gathering of mixed religious backgrounds. I said at the time that I would take the opportunity to consult several experienced members of the Toastmasters for their advice. In fact I took it one step further and posted it to the District 53 mailing list. This is a system where messages are sent to a particular email address where a computer forwards the email to everyone on the ‘list’, responses then go back to the list server and are again forwarded to all the members on the list allowing a general discussion to occur. This system is sometimes mistakenly referred to as a listserv though, technically, listserv is a particular program that implements a mailing list.
There was significant traffic on this question, which I have summarized below. If you are interested in joining the District 53 mailing list, of just curious about it, then consult the web page at http://www.district53toastmasters.org/d53group.html
[Note, I have corrected what I believe to be a few spelling errors on the ground that the original media was e-mail, which is notoriously poorly proofed. If I have altered anyone’s ideas I apologize.]
My original question:
At a recent meeting several members of my
club expressed concern about giving the invocation in a club containing diverse
religious believers. Any suggestions about how to give a non-denominational,
non-sectarian, non-offensive 'invocation'?
John Florian, Nutmeg Toastmasters:
We've taken "invocation" to mean
"motivational" or "inspirational" so it never becomes a
religious message. Often people quote from a favorite book or cite something
from the work or life of an inspirational person.
Rich Couture,Lt. Governor of Marketing
It seems the Rotarians have the same
problem. There is a page with several
examples that you may use.
http://www.icufr.org/Invocations.htm
Also try a google search
[The above URL has (may have) been split by line wrap, it needs to be entered as one continuous line on you browser.]
Arnie Grot:
I look at an
invocation/inspiration/motivation opening as I do an Ice Breaker speech. It is
an opportunity to get to know a little more about the speaker. It does not test
my faith or beliefs what another Toastmaster may belief or how he or she
expresses his or her faith nor do I take that expression as a personal attack.
With the need to understand the diversity
that makes Toastmasters, and
America, uniquely strong and the desire to
protect that diversity, I think we are too tolerant of the intolerant if we
pre-censor our free speech to this extreme.
How many take offense when some puts mustard
on their hot dog or may prefer to eat them without onions at the ballpark?
Okay, some of you don't eat hot dogs because your afraid to be attacked by the
radical militant vegetarian fraction ;-o.
If such an extreme occurs that one-person
seams offended, it is an opportunity for the offended to grow. Likewise, if
everyone is totally shocked, it is a signal for the speaker to learn to express
him/herself differently.
Having been a Toastmaster for nearly 12
years, having held a member of over five clubs, visiting many many other clubs
and attending numerous district, regional and international conferences, I have
witnessed many invocation. Each served their purpose, to provide a moment of
thought. I don't remember a single invocation disrupting a meeting.
As far as giving an invocation, just as we
are taught in C&L project #2, speak with sincerity. The material should,
therefore, reflect the beliefs of the speaker.
Dolly Reed:
Just to add my personal opinion, although I
get over it quickly, I feel uncomfortable when I hear a reference to a religion
or a specific deity during an invocation.
I am so relieved when the message is inspirational and not in a
religious context. After all, there are
so many positive, inspiring thoughts and feelings that we can share with each
other, that I believe there is no need to directly bring any religious
references into it.
Betsy Katiti:
Well said, Arnie. Unfortunately there is a growing tendency to over-tolerate the
intolerant. It would be nice if these
same people would be appreciative and reciprocate the gesture. It usually doesn't happen that way, they
find ways to become more intolerant.
There is a happy medium where all can grow, not just one at the expense
of another. That often happens when we
realize that the way forward is to learn to live together not attack each
other.
Walter Beveridge:
Invocations, like pledges of allegiance, are
optional at Toastmasters meetings.
Personally, I like this policy.
Whether your Club should have them could be an interesting basis for
table topics or a Club debate. What a
great opportunity to develop listening skills!
Graham Tritt, VP Education, Berne,
Switzerland:
Invocations are very rare at European
toastmasters meetings, but sometimes there will be a motivational message on a
special occasion.
The problem is not so much with
non-denomination prayers, but the idea of involving spiritual forces. I estimate the atheists, non-believing
humanists and skeptics in Europe to be in a large majority. (Which of course does not stop them from
doing a lot of good.)
Pledges of allegiance never occur. The reason is simple, my club is typical -
20 members from 15 countries.
Maria Ortega:
My club (Patroon-Albany) uses poetry and
excerpts from inspirational writings, without reference to religion.
Ray Bell:
Maria,
Don't pass this on, but one member doesn't
rely on poetry. As a Toastmaster we
should be well versed in all types of learning. We had a fellow once who quit because of the pledge of
allegiance.
To each his own.