George Stephanopoulos must have thought that he was moderating the Republican debate when he asked the stupid question about prayer. That goes along with the question that Chris Matthews asked the Republicans about whether they believed in evolution. Remarkably, 3 Republicans admitted that they believe in creationism. I wonder what goes on in the heads of these so-called news anchors.
30 years ago these questions would have been as ridiculous as asking the candidates if they believed in Santa Claus. Yet today, these types of questions have managed to become mainstream. The idea that a belief in prayer preventing bad things from happening is outrageous and ridiculous, especially for those who are seeking the Presidency. Is middle-aged thinking having a new Renaissance to the days of witches and mysticism and the most outlandish beliefs in superstition?
I suggest that the moderators stick to questions that have to do with real tangible issues that we humans can solve ourselves. This abdication of all our human responsibilities to god not only is wrong, but it also leaves the human condition with a sense of powerlessness. There are lots of things that we have no control over. But, we should not abdicate our responsibility to the invisible man in the sky. I have 2 quotes for those who believe in the power of prayer as prevention of bad things:
"Render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's, and unto God the things that are God's" --The Gospels
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." --Reinhold Niebuhr, The Serenity Prayer
Speaking of praying to prevent bad things from happening, I will now pray that Bush and Cheney resign.
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There came a big flood, and the water around Bhola's house was rising steadily...
Bhola was standing on the porch, watching water rising all around him, when a man in a boat came along and called to Bhola, "Get in the boat and I'll get you out of here. Bhola replied, "No thanks, God will save me."
Bhola went into the house, and the water was starting to pour in. So, he went up to the second floor.
As he looked out, another man in a boat came along, and he called to Bhola, "Get in the boat and I'll get you out of here."
Again, Bhola replied, "No thanks. God will save me."
The water kept rising. So, Bhola got out onto the roof.
A helicopter flew over, and the pilot called down to Bhola, "I'll drop you a rope, grab onto it, and I'll get you out of here."
Again Bhola replied, "No thanks. God will save me."
The water rose and rose, and soon nearly covered the whole house. Bhola fell in, and drowned.
When he arrived in Heaven, he saw God, and asked Him, "Why didn't you save me from that terrible flood? Did I not show you my faith?"
With a loving but irritated tone God replied, "What more would you have me do? I sent people in two boats and a helicopter?"
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I have no issue with faith that is tempered by reason. I have great issue with untempered faith.
Please, there is nothing reasonable about this story. Faith is unreasonable by definition.
This might be the case of the disaster already occuring,(the last 7 years) and that all my prayer does is make them accountable for the great harm they've caused our Nation and world.
Excellent point. Religion is so harmful in so many ways... the time people waste praying is the least of the damage! It terrifies/horrifies me to see -- for example -- hopeless/helpless Katrina victims sitting in the mud, praying. Shudder.