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 Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 5:30 pm
OK.
So prayer is a normal thing in many religions. I 'pray' when I meditate and I 'pray' if I am scared, or in need of guidance. Now, I was told by one of my christian friends, who knows of my religious views, that she will pray for me (Because I was having issues at home, and I was just confinding in her.). I was not insulted in the least bit. I view all religions as they are and not under a critical microscope..nor do I view them in fear or hatred...dispite my up bringing.
When I told one of my friends, who was of the same religious belief as myself, she flipped out. Saying that she was rude for saying it, that it is insulting...I will not bore you with what she said, but it got me thinking.
Do other people get insulted when this is said to them?
I am not here to judge anyone, and I really want to know if others would, or have reacted the same way, or if you would have reacted differently. If your share my view on religion. What is yours? Why do you think she would have reacted in this way? It is just...Confusing for me to say the least.
And what do you think of "Prayer"?
What is Prayer? What Religion do you associate it with? One, two, all?? I think it is a good question to ask, don't you? I will share my input as we get some posts on here.
So please. Let us share our views on this riveting subject.. POST!!!
Peace, Blessings, and Light
Nick, aka Leo
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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 6:29 pm
Honestly, I do not know this woman who freaked out but I feel that is a very immature and close minded over-reaction. It's not like she told you she was going to pray for you to Jesus because your worship false gods and therefore your prayers will not be heard. She was simply offering a kind gesture. Now, perhaps the woman who freaked out has been highly ridiculed for her beliefs and therefore is a little biased or feels a prejudice is justified, but to me it seems that she just over-reacted.
Now, if the woman praying for you had made any indication that the reason she was praying for you was because your religious beliefs were inadequate then yes, that would have been rude. However, it just seems to me she was well wishing and being considerate.
I myself have been ridiculed though, for one belief in particular, and even told that it's nothing more than new age fluff- In the long run of things, I really do believe all gods are one, which is the universe and life itself. Now, I'm not saying you can go into Circle and call on say Lugh, when you should be calling on Dagda for example. Each Deity and hero respectively has their own stories and properties that are associated with them and in my opinion it's rather rude to just throw all the deities together in like a grab bag and just pick one out and say, 'oh that'll work' That's not what I mean. I just think in the very large, long scheme of things, they are all part of the same thing, which is why I've even just called on the God and Goddess in general with no specific deity in mind.
At any rate, with that being one of my core beliefs, I have no problems with someone saying that they will pray for me, or even ask their God to watch over me if they hold different beliefs, if it's a genuinely benign and sincere gesture to my well being. Just because their theology is different, I acknowledge a kind gesture of faith regardless of what specific type of faith as long as it's not being forced upon me.
You know, especially as I've grown and look at where paganism is going today, I see more and more discrimination coming from pagan towards one another and other denominations as the years go by. I have pride and love my path, but I will not say that mine is more right than another's for another. And I am comfortable enough in my beliefs that I can except others religious best-wishes even if they differ from my own.
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Matron_ofthe_Herd Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Jul 16, 2010 11:25 pm
First off, thank you ^_^ I love the way you said it and it makes perfect sense to me..I thought that was the reason, but ehh, its a great converstation starter, dont you agree?? lol and... Matron_ofthe_Herd You know, especially as I've grown and look at where paganism is going today, I see more and more discrimination coming from pagan towards one another and other denominations as the years go by. I have noticed this too..It is very surprising to me and, rather scary!...Hmm..I feel another topic coming on. Matron, would you like to do the honors??
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Posted: Sat Jul 24, 2010 1:04 pm
I see no problem with someone praying for me....as long as they are not doing so becasue the think I'm going to hell....and even then its only becasue they care. It seems to me that your friend just hates christians and sees them as "the enemy" kinda like how an old fastioned feminist hates men.
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Posted: Sun Jul 25, 2010 6:54 pm
One of my professors, who was himself agnostic so far as I know, made the poignant statement: "Whatever god there may or may not be, he is the best therapist in the world."
I think that prayer is a time of personal reflection, much like meditation, but with a conscious, deliberate stream of thought going through our heads regarding life's problems, the solution to those problems, and the relationships that we foster with those around us.
(others, feel free to disagree with me, as prayer is of a very personal nature and is, I think, different for each person)
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 4:09 pm
Seems as though someone had a bit of trouble with a person of the Christian faith.I have to go to a Christian service at least twice a week (For my grandparents) and am frequently told "I'll pray for you".I usually laugh because if I were to tell them my real religious beliefs they would be the offended ones.
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Posted: Sun Aug 15, 2010 11:51 pm
Quote: Prayer is a form of religious practice that seeks to activate a volitional connection to a God, deity or spirit, through deliberate practice. Prayer may be either individual or communal and take place in public or in private. It may involve the use of words or song. When language is used, prayer may take the form of a hymn, incantation, formal creedal statement, or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person. There are different forms of prayer such as petitionary prayer, prayers of supplication, thanksgiving, and worship/praise. Prayer may be directed towards a deity, spirit, deceased person, or lofty idea, for the purpose of worshiping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing sins or to express one's thoughts and emotions. Thus, people pray for many reasons such as personal benefit or for the sake of others.
Most major religions involve prayer in one way or another. Some ritualize the act of prayer, requiring a strict sequence of actions or placing a restriction on who is permitted to pray, while others teach that prayer may be practiced spontaneously by anyone at any time.
Scientific studies regarding the use of prayer have mostly concentrated on its effect on the healing of sick or injured people. The efficacy of petition in prayer for physical healing to a deity has been evaluated in numerous studies, with contradictory results. There has been some criticism of the way the studies were conducted.
from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer I agree with everything stated above. There's nothing wrong with someone offering to pray for someone in my opinion, regardless of the possibility of differing beliefs. It's no more then saying, I wish to send good energy your way right!? I have however had people tell me in negative ways that they'll pray for me as well, however, with those I disregard the negativity, thank them for their desire to help me but decline it as I feel I'd rather avoid possible negative energies. They take offense but that's not my problem. My family and friends as well as myself say it to one another often with only good intentions despite the differences in our beliefs.
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