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Old 06-29-2010, 12:36 AM   #1
omaculer

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Default Pray for them
I'm always slightly taken aback when I hear of a terrible disaster befalling some hapless victims and am then told to "pray for them." Seems like such a cheap out, like "I want to feel good about myself but don't want to exert any actual effort, so I'll just think some good thoughts."

Wouldn't it be more productive to organize a fund raiser? Contribute time or money? Even just sending a card seems like a nicer, more humane thing to do.
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Old 06-29-2010, 01:02 AM   #2
Switiespils

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Actions do speak louder than words.

That said, many believe in the power of prayer.....even when the prayer is of petition. ...
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Old 06-29-2010, 01:06 AM   #3
Battwenue

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Would one be praying to the same or a different entity that caused/allowed to happen the disaster to occur in the first place?
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Old 06-29-2010, 01:33 AM   #4
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Would one be praying to the same or a different entity that caused/allowed to happen the disaster to occur in the first place?
Yes, which seems odd. If its part of God's plan that this should happen, it's kind of audacious to think God would be swayed from the plan just because lil ole me asked otherwise, right?
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Old 06-29-2010, 04:50 AM   #5
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Maybe that god is lonely and needs a call, so it makes an earthquake so it can hear people talking to it.
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Old 06-29-2010, 04:54 AM   #6
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Yes, which seems odd. If its part of God's plan that this should happen, it's kind of audacious to think God would be swayed from the plan just because lil ole me asked otherwise, right?
George Carlin settled this issue years ago.
YouTube - George Carlin - Religion is bull****.
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Old 06-29-2010, 06:15 AM   #7
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A public call to prayer is of a political nature, and can lead the way to physical action- there's no reason you can't pray AND be productive.

A private prayer as a passive panacea is only proved successful by coincidence.
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Old 06-29-2010, 07:27 PM   #8
xresultsearch

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I contribute to fundraisers. I donate clothing and other items, as for the earthquake in Haiti when shoes and toiletries were being requested. I also prayed and continue to pray. Do you assume people who pray don't also take action?
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Old 06-29-2010, 07:53 PM   #9
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I'm not sure why it would bother anyone if someone else wants to pray and asks others to pray for someone, nor do we need all the answers to the big questions of the universe in order to pray. For those for whom prayer doesn't ring emotional and spiritual bells, you can simply ignore the request. No one's making anyone pray just by asking. We're not talking about government-sponsored prayer, here, or proselytizing, or people trying to force their religious views about sex on others.

I do think there are benefits of praying for help for others, beyond the Godly result people are seeking. It focuses the thoughts of the one praying on someone else, on the needs of others, and may indeed prompt them to do something themselves, if only to offer moral support to those in need. I think they're also acknowledging that there's only so much they can do as a human being in that situation, so they're seeking divine help for another person.

Those who think it's all hokum have no more proof of their position than those who believe. What I don't understand is why people who don't believe in God, or a higher power, feel it their duty to try to undermine the faith of those who do. Praying for God to help or heal a person in dire need seems harmless at best, and may indeed be helpful in ways big or small.
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Old 06-29-2010, 08:10 PM   #10
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I also prayed and continue to pray. Do you assume people who pray don't also take action? Do you think all who pray do take action? I praise those who take action and do not care either way for those who pray. I understand that when people say that they will pray for you that they mean you well, and if someone tells me that I will thank them.

But try and understand the irreligious position here: if someone says that they're going to pray for you and that is all they do, it really does come off as a meaningless platitude.

Not to mention that we find the act of prayer wrong (not morally but empirically) - I don't believe in a god or gods, I have no reason nor any evidence to do so, then why would I pray?

What I don't understand is why people who don't believe in God, or a higher power, feel it their duty to try to undermine the faith of those who do. People are like that, they like to be "us versus them". However I don't think anyone in this topic was attempting to undermine anyone's faith - I could if I wanted too, but that's a waste of time.
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Old 06-29-2010, 09:46 PM   #11
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Do you think all who pray do take action? I praise those who take action and do not care either way for those who pray. I understand that when people say that they will pray for you that they mean you well, and if someone tells me that I will thank them.

But try and understand the irreligious position here: if someone says that they're going to pray for you and that is all they do, it really does come off as a meaningless platitude.

Not to mention that we find the act of prayer wrong (not morally but empirically) - I don't believe in a god or gods, I have no reason nor any evidence to do so, then why would I pray?

People are like that, they like to be "us versus them". However I don't think anyone in this topic was attempting to undermine anyone's faith - I could if I wanted too, but that's a waste of time.
I don't believe anyone is forcing you to pray, just asking for prayers, the "of those who pray" implied. I know people who use "I'll pray for you" as a quick answer. They don't pray, maybe never prayed but hey, it sounds good, doesn't it? Makes you look like a good person. If only it were that easy.

Kind of like people who claim they're going to do something, demonstrate, donate, whatever, just as soon as they go to MAC, or have time, or can fit it into their schedules.

And by the way, not even the Bible believes prayer is enough. "Do you want to be shown, you senseless person, that faith without works is barren? ...faith was active along with his works, and faith was brought to completion by the works." James, Chapter 2.

Yes, it is a waste of time to attempt to undermine my faith but having faith doesn't mean I have a closed mind. In fact, it stretches and exercises my faith to discuss it like this.
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Old 06-29-2010, 10:51 PM   #12
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I figure that too many people in this world don't give a poop about anyone else, so if some people find it in their heart to consider another, to send them good wishes or to pray for them, it's all for the good.
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Old 06-30-2010, 12:05 AM   #13
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I figure that too many people in this world don't give a poop about anyone else, so if some people find it in their heart to consider another, to send them good wishes or to pray for them, it's all for the good.
So its all about thinking good thoughts for another human? Then why invoke the idea of an almighty, all powerful, all knowing, timeless entity?

And seriously... what difference does it make to think good, bad or no thoughts about another? Why is that "all for the good?"
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Old 06-30-2010, 05:14 PM   #14
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What good does it do to think good thoughts? I don't know but I believe in praying for someone else's good and I know that it does no harm.

No one can prove the existence of God. You believe or you don't. So what's the harm in praying or thinking good thoughts?

But there has to be harm in thinking bad thoughts, if only that to constantly have nasty thoughts in your head will eventually show in your speech and behavior and make you a miserable person to be around.
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