Whose prayers are being answered?? WTC

[NeelaX]

I found this quote in a different forum, and thought you all would enjoy it:

http://voy.com/15283/106.html
Author: Pacificus
Subject: Who has better prayers?

First I would like to extnd my condolences to the victims and their families of the tragedy in New York. But I also feel ambivalent about what it is we are choosing to do about it. Specifically, prayers. I ask you, who's prayers will be listened to? Will it be the prayers of islamic fundamentalists, or gleeful Palestinian children... or the prayers of their victims? Yesterday's events would suggest that the muslims are the one's being listened to; I do not mean this question as a challenge to anyones religious beliefs, but I do think the point that is being missed is that actions speak louder than prayers.So, give blood if you can, offer your services if you can, or perhaps even volunteer to become one of the thousands of new spys that our government will now engage as part of its War on Terrorism through Human Intelligence Activities, but whatever it is you decide on, know this; Be wary of government that expands its reach by playing to the fears and emotions of its citizens. Prayers for the dead and injured may help some of us deal with our losses, but it is inaction nonetheless, and leaves us as helpless as before. Results demand ACTION! And action affects the future, not the past. Action is what destroyed the WTC and the thousands of lives, and only action will destroy its perpetrators.

 

[floppa21]

Thank You NeelaX!!! I feel the exact same way. (Maybe you don't feel that way, not implyin that you do.) But I said that also, prayer is helpin the people praying, no one else. Seemed a little selfish to me. People say there is power in prayer, well, there's power in wishful thinkin too I guess... Is it wrong to say this wouldn't have happened if it weren't for RELIGION? "God helps those who help themselves." Well, I don't rely on God for ANYTHING, and I can honestly say he ain't done nothin for me. That whole National Prayer/Remembrance Day? Take out the prayer part and it's fine. And it bugs me that "In God We Trust" is on our money but I guess it's part of the country's "culture..." Oh well, now I'm just goin off everywhere. I'll stop now so I don't turn this thread into someting the topic says otherwise.

 

[Magnus]

Any merger of church and state starts my blood boiling. Tax the churches and use the money to support the war effort - there, NOW those prayers will be working!

 

[stormerne]

Prayer is a natural thing in countries where montheism rules. The deity of the monotheist is always claimed to be all powerful and all knowing and everywhere. Therefore this deity should theoretically be able to hear what people pray for and should be able to act if it chooses.

It seems people pray for a variety of different reasons. They may pray because something is beyond their power. They may pray if they aren't sure what is best in a particular circumstance. They may pray for guidance.

I think it would be a mistake to suggest that those people who pray do bugger all else. People can do both - they can both pray and act - and some successfully do both. Perhaps praying helps them to act.

Their problem is of course that Christians and Moslems alike are, in my experience, praying to the same deity by different names. Jews likewise. Knowing that deity as I do, it wouldn't surprise me that he likes to play one group off against another like this.

I don't have this problem. I don't pray and I'm not monotheistic. My gods expect me to get up off my butt and act. They'll help me sometimes - and I'll help them - as a result of negotiation, but there's a world of difference between prayer and negotiation.

 

[Apollo]

I don't pray and I'm not monotheistic.

So Stormerne, are you polytheistic then? And if so, what's your stance on the Greek pantheon, and me in particular?

My conspicuously vague and Nostradamus-esque Oracle prophecy of the day: "Something will happen"

Interpret it how you wish.

 

[stormerne]

Yes I am polytheistic. My gods are of the Germanic/Anglo-Saxon/Norse pantheon. I call my religion Heathenry.

I have respect for a number of other pantheons including the Roman and Greek deities because I have close friends whose religion involves the Roman pantheon and I have met one or two of their deities, notably Flora. My limited experience with Greek deities makes me suspect that in at least some cases (notably Artemis/Diana) they are identical to the Roman ones but differently named. But that both pantheons are quite separate from the Heathen pantheon.

As for Apollo, I have not had cause to meet him (nor obviously he me). Therefore, though there is enough in mythology to give clues, that is quite different from personal experience, and so I keep an open mind on his character.

 

[Ashoka]

Yes I am polytheistic. My gods are of the Germanic/Anglo-Saxon/Norse pantheon. I call my religion Heathenry.

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Damn - and I'm already a confirmed Buddhist.

Move to the US - - you can declare "Heathenry" a religion, get tax breaks, and make tons of cash. It worked for L. Ron Hubbard...

Long Live the Mighty Thor!!!!!


Ashoka

 

[stormerne]

Not only in the US but elsewhere. And in Iceland - where it is called Asatru - it has regained its status of an official national religion after a hiatus of nearly 1000 years!

 

[floppa21]

Is it called Heathenry in the US Stormerne?