"Prayers?"

[Wayne]

I know religion is a touchy subject (and the source of almost every problem in America today) but as of late, I've noticed something I consider hinkey...

On several of the forums I visit for various hobbies, I have noticed a sharp rise on "please pray for" e-mails as well as "I'll say a prayer for..." responses..

Now I don't mind that people are irrevocably chained and brainwashed to the business of organized religion, and I have my own name brand of "faith", but I just find the practice of "sending prayers" to be somehow... well... dumb...

If Yahweh, Allah, or whomever you hold to be God Almighty is listening, are people just trying to broaden their "buying power" with the big guy by taking their pleas to the Internet? Kinda like the more people you get sucked into the corrupt medical insurance machine as a group, the better rate you get? Is that how God works?

Anyway, just noting a trend. I have to say that if something were to happen, I would truly appreciate the good wishes and concern, but find the prayers a bit much. Especially since to 99% of the people who say such things in posts would never actually bend a knee and utter such words.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if someone wants to speak to the Lord on my behalf, that would be humbling and fantastic, but if you volunteer for such a serious duty, at least do the knee work to go along with the empty words.

Wayne

 

[redrumloa]

Even if you are not religious, saying "You will be in my thoughts and prayers" are words of comfort not different than saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes..

As for specific requests for prayer, I doubt "God" puts people in front of the line for miracles due to other people's prayers. But then again I generally believe in benefits of positive thought. Depression and negativity does have a real negative effect on people's health.

 

[Wayne]

Depression and negativity does have a real negative effect on people's health.

Being clinically depressed, I would agree, but involuntarily offering a "bless you" when someone sneezes is about the most indoctrinated I get with that sort of thing. Don't buy the "thoughts and prayers" thing though. Sounds like more of a peer pressure thing and a meaningless gesture to me.

I would certainly understand "best wishes", "hopes" and even "if there's anything I can do's..." but the promise of a prayer said for someone -- again, to me -- is a bit much..

Wayne

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Especially since to 99% of the people who say such things in posts would never actually bend a knee and utter such words.

Well, that's the crux really, isn't it.

The idea that an all loving omnipotent omniscient being would need to be asked before helping out a soul is ridiculous in the extreme. If something's up, it already would know, and would know how to fix it and would fix it if it truly loved you so the praying is redundant. If praying is necessary then the above definition is wrong and the god is either not all knowing or suffers from narcissistic human pettiness.

But the real point of offering prayers so publicly is not because God needs to be informed but because people are vane and love to display their piety in public. They like to think that they will appear righteous and it's a lot less trouble than actually doing something.

 

[Wayne]

Especially since to 99% of the people who say such things in posts would never actually bend a knee and utter such words.

Well, that's the crux really, isn't it.

The idea that an all loving omnipotent omniscient being would need to be asked before helping out a soul is ridiculous in the extreme. If something's up, it already would know, and would know how to fix it and would fix it if it truly loved you so the praying is redundant. If praying is necessary then the above definition is wrong and the god is either not all knowing or suffers from narcissistic human pettiness.

But the real point of offering prayers so publicly is not because God needs to be informed but because people are vane and love to display their piety in public. They like to think that they will appear righteous and it's a lot less trouble than actually doing something.

Let me say "wow" and ask how you were able to echo my thoughts so well..?

Wayne

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

Let me say "wow" and ask how you were able to echo my thoughts so well..?

Wayne

Well, eh-hem, it's all part of being omniscient. By the way, I received a couple of prayers for you the other day - thought you should know. They got your name wrong but I figured it out

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

I know religion is a touchy subject (and the source of almost every problem in America today) but as of late, I've noticed something I consider hinkey...

On several of the forums I visit for various hobbies, I have noticed a sharp rise on "please pray for" e-mails as well as "I'll say a prayer for..." responses..

Now I don't mind that people are irrevocably chained and brainwashed to the business of organized religion, and I have my own name brand of "faith", but I just find the practice of "sending prayers" to be somehow... well... dumb...

If Yahweh, Allah, or whomever you hold to be God Almighty is listening, are people just trying to broaden their "buying power" with the big guy by taking their pleas to the Internet? Kinda like the more people you get sucked into the corrupt medical insurance machine as a group, the better rate you get? Is that how God works?

Anyway, just noting a trend. I have to say that if something were to happen, I would truly appreciate the good wishes and concern, but find the prayers a bit much. Especially since to 99% of the people who say such things in posts would never actually bend a knee and utter such words.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if someone wants to speak to the Lord on my behalf, that would be humbling and fantastic, but if you volunteer for such a serious duty, at least do the knee work to go along with the empty words.

Wayne

It's something typically American. Here in NL you will never hear such a thing. (instead, we say "the best wishes", "my/our thoughts are with you", or especially "I/we wish you strength")

 

[faethor]

Even if you are not religious, saying "You will be in my thoughts and prayers" are words of comfort not different than saying "God bless you" when someone sneezes..

I second this. I am an agnostic, at least, with a strong lean to atheist. If I say 'God Bless' or 'You're in my prayers' -- they are terms I use for "Best Wishes" Why? Well sometims saying "Best Wishes" can come off uncaring. If someone is depressed enough they might take it as 'deal with it' instead.

As for specific requests for prayer, I doubt "God" puts people in front of the line for miracles due to other people's prayers. But then again I generally believe in benefits of positive thought. Depression and negativity does have a real negative effect on people's health.

Though it appears certain conditions are at the back of the line. For example, God has never healed an amputee.

 

[Robert]

On several of the forums I visit for various hobbies, I have noticed a sharp rise on "please pray for" e-mails as well as "I'll say a prayer for..." responses..

Now I don't mind that people are irrevocably chained and brainwashed to the business of organized religion, and I have my own name brand of "faith", but I just find the practice of "sending prayers" to be somehow... well... dumb...

George Carlin on this topic:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPOfurmr ... re=related

Most salient point begins 4 minutes and 44 seconds in.

 

[metalman]

Obama hear our prayers.
In the name of Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers, Bernadine Dohrn, the Weather Underground, George Soros and all the saints, we pray.

Our Obama, who art in Washington,
Thy Health care utopia to come,
Thy Legislation be done,
In Washington, as it is in Chicago,
Give us this day, some cash for clunkers,
As we repent for our carbon addiction.
As we carbon tax those who don't properly inflate their tires.
Deliver us from all the evil that is George Bush.
For thine is the money, the power, and the Democratic party,
For eight or ten years, in the 57 states he visited,
In Obama's name we pray
Amen

 

[faethor]

@metalman

The election is over. You can drop the phony Christ like attributes that the Republicans attempted to use to disuade voters. BTW, you lost.

And to think you thought Kayne West was old and tired. :roflmao:

 

[Wayne]

@And to think you thought Kayne West was old and tired. :roflmao:

Not to mention the avatar. It's almost red-like in its desperate fervor.

Wayne

 

[Wayne]

As I have heard uttered before "Good Lord knows I could use some prayers 'bout now".

Wayne

 

[metalman]

@metalman

The election is over. You can drop the phony Christ like attributes that the Republicans attempted to use to disuade voters. BTW, you lost.

2010 right around the corner

Availability: In Stock.
:roflmao:

 

[faethor]

The election is over. You can drop the phony Christ like attributes that the Republicans attempted to use to disuade voters. BTW, you lost.

2010 right around the corner

There is an election in 2010 this is true. However, Obama is not up for election in 2010. May I suggest that instead of using failed tactics against a non-existent race that you focus on actual races and try some truths. It might work better.

 

[Speelgoedmannetje]

@metalman

The election is over. You can drop the phony Christ like attributes that the Republicans attempted to use to disuade voters. BTW, you lost.

2010 right around the corner

Availability: In Stock.
:roflmao:

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