Subject:
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Re: Thoughts on prayer
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.off-topic.debate
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Date:
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Tue, 10 Apr 2001 22:57:42 GMT
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Viewed:
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168 times
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In lugnet.off-topic.debate, Dave Schuler writes:
> Some years ago a friend who'd done some study on the matter defined black
> magic (as many sources do) as the practice of ritual or enchantment without
> the permission and/or knowledge of the intended recipient. By this
> definition, prayer without the consent or knowledge of the recipient is
> black magic. I know that not everyone defines it that way, and I'm not
> trying to convince anyone that they should, but it's interesting to hear
> another perspective on what many consider to be a kind and charitable act...
When my mom says she prays for me, I equivocate it with saying "My thoughts
and hopes are with you." In that sense, any sort of prayer (whether it's
praying to God, Jesus, Shivva, Buddha, poking pins in voodoo dolls, doing a
rain dance, drawing a pentagram, touching an idol) is all the same to me.
Although I feel none of these acts will create any sort of benefit granted
from a higher power, I like the idea that someone, in their own way, wishes
me well.
> > I've even watched pro athletes give praise to God and Jesus for hearing their
> > prayers so they could win the championship.
>
> Or when boxers thank the Lord for giving them the strength to beat their
> oponents into unconsciousness!
Heh heh, doesn't make sense if Jesus was about peace.
> I'm not up on the latest legalities, but my understanding is that while
> _organized_ prayer is not permitted, individuals can pray to their souls'
> content. The problem arises not simply through the presence of prayer in
> the public (ie: government sponsored) institution; when the institution
> itself puts forth a prayer, that prayer becomes by definition state-sponsored.
So is a moment of silence considered state-sponsored prayer?
> > After all, doesn't our money say "In God we trust"?
>
> I've reflected on this point at various times in my life. I'm not really
> offended by it, since I'm not too concerned personally about what's printed
> on my dollar as long as it's accepted as coin of the realm. However, a
> literal reading (perhaps by some alien race that isn't convinced of our
> dominion over them) could suggest that the currency is itself the "God" in
> which we trust.
Ha! Well, it seems the more wrong done with our money, the more we drag God
through the filth WE'VE created. Also, I don't think a true separation of
church and state would allow putting "In God We Trust" on government
currency or require people to swear oaths of office on the Bible (although
I've heard a Koran or Torah is just as acceptable).
Dan
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Thoughts on prayer
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| (...) You can also swear on the Constitution. It wouldn't suprise me if there are other recognized religious and non-religious documents you can swear on. Jeff (24 years ago, 11-Apr-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Thoughts on prayer
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| (...) Some years ago a friend who'd done some study on the matter defined black magic (as many sources do) as the practice of ritual or enchantment without the permission and/or knowledge of the intended recipient. By this definition, prayer without (...) (24 years ago, 10-Apr-01, to lugnet.off-topic.debate)
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