And All the People Said - A-what?

 Great excitement among the more radical theological thinkers of the Beaker Folk, after Emanuel Cleaver said the opening prayer at the US Congress.

 Some Beaker People are concerned that he referred to the name of the "monotheistic God". Which,while trying to be inclusive, excludes atheists, Bhuddists, many Pagans and tritheists. And by including just "Brahma" alongside the monotheistic God, probably confuses Hindus while he's at it.

But others were more excited that he concluded the prayer with "Amen and Awoman". Presumably in an attempt to be inclusive. What, asks some of the Beaker Folk, about those that identify in other ways? What about Eddie Izzard? Some of the more Biblically literate Fol ask - what about the fact that "Amen"is not gendered, any more than ramen noodles are. It's a Hebrew word meaning "too right", "agreed", or "yes Lord we just want to ask you that it just be so".

But, inspired, we looked for the ideal Beaker term to replace Amen. We toyed with "A-people" as having no gendered connotations. But Hnaef pointed to the Sydney Carter song, "Every star shall sing a carol". Surely we should be inclusive of aliens in our prayers? For they too may be made in the image of God's image. Though hopefully not the Daleks, obviously. 

So what about "A-lifeforms" we asked ourselves.

Exludes inorganic matter, we decided - which is, after all, most matter. If even the rocks can cry out God's praises, we ought to allow them to be included in our prayers.

So from now on, until we decide it's too silly and go back where we came from - all Beaker liturgies are to conclude with "A-stuff". Please download the latest version of the Beaker Common Prayer from the BeakerNet. They will not be required for a while.