Prayapolooza in Houston

[Gregg]

*** MOD HAT ON ***

poetry_writer has a valid point. I don't know the religious make-up of these boards, although it appears to be predominantly Christian. I do know the US, where the majority of members are from, is predominantly Christian. We all know that politics and religion are the classic topics to avoid in polite conversation and we have both going with this thread. To most people a post with a mocking tone is nothing more than self effacing humor, but to others it can be hurtful. The goal of the forum guidelines is not to insure a sterile, completely politically correct environment, but simply to promote mutual respect and civil discourse. Please take care to direct comments toward the post and not other posters or their beliefs. If anyone wishes to take a deeper look at the religious implications of the OP it might be valuable to also start a thread in Spirituality & Religion to include the points of view of the regular posters in that section.

[The Storyteller]

God is decidedly not a guy.

True. Gender is only for purposes of procreation. Sex. I don't see God needing either.

[Zigzagman]

This forum doesnt allow disrespect of religions and spiritual practices unless it happens to be Christianity. The hateful posts, the mocking of my Saviours name....."Jeeeesus", from the OP of this thread......is very in your face and disrespectful of my faith. It is very hypocrital of this forum to allow Christian bashing.

I edited the OP to remove the offensive spelling you mentioned. I actually think it is much more offensive to see a Governor bring Christianity into the political arena. I personally think that most people of faith would much prefer that we remain a secular in our political discussions but it just seems that is impossible. I don't think people realize how crazy it sounds to offer prayer as a solution to fiscal, environmental, and political decisions.

Shoot, “non-denominational Christian” leaves out the Catholics and a whole bunch of other folks who kinda thought they WERE Christian, like Presbyterians and Whiskeypalians and the like.

This is a designed public spectacle by a very despicable public figure. Like I said, I didn't make this story up - it is real and it is nuts!!

Peace

[H-work]

I think the press release erred in calling the event non-denominational. I've never known a Christian event that didn't want any and all who consider themselves Christian to attend. [Okay, maybe some Independent Baptists, but I seriously doubt Perry is an IB] The press release should have made that more clear. The term "non-denominational" doesn't mean that those who do belong to a denomination can't attend, just that no one denomination is sponsoring it.

[peggy]

You forgot Pastafarians Zig.

I'm sorry if anyone was offended by us poking fun at this ridiculous event. Personally, I'm offended BY religion, in all it's forms, but I can't ask everyone to curtail their discussion of their faith.

What we can demand is that our political leaders not make a mockery of our very real and very serious issues in this country. Regardless of the personal comfort it may bring to someone, prayer doesn't work to solve problems. Never has, never will. Children's cancer wards are full of kids whose parents pray night and day. You can pray to pass a test, but if you don't study you're toast. Stuff happens, or it doesn't happen. That's just imperfect life in an imperfect world. Rick Perry might as well build a giant landing strip in west Texas so the martians can land and solve our problems, which is about what he's doing with this prayer thing.

It's a stunt, and an embarrassment to those of us who see it for what it really is. And really sad for those who will buy into this and go, and then vote for him because, well, he did hold that prayapolooza thing. Which of course is what he's betting on.

I don't have anything against anyone praying in private. it means nothing to me. There are plenty of people I respect. I don't respect their choice of religious belief any more than they 'respect' my choice of broccoli for dinner. It's really about the same and I don't believe religion demands any more respect than the yumminess of broccoli. But because I respect people, I don't force them to eat broccoli.

It's all relative really. I, and most here, didn't respect that nutter who said the world was going to end on the 21st, but one mans loony is another man's devout follower. What made him not deserving of respect? Because we ALL pretty much saw him as a nut job con artist. So forgive those of us who look sideways at the notion that mass delusion somehow makes it less of a loony idea.

But, back to the OP, this is a stunt and a scam. And he's running for President!

[Catwoman]

If the intent of the OP was to knock Perry's involvement and motives - fair enough. The derision showed toward Christians in this post is way off base and this thread should be locked.

[Zigzagman]

If the intent of the OP was to knock Perry's involvement and motives - fair enough. The derision showed toward Christians in this post is way off base and this thread should be locked.

Locked? Why? When a politician decides to bring religion into the public political arena doesn't that open it up to whatever public reaction that might occur? Perry did it with full knowledge of what and how it would be perceived. This is thread is just another example of why religion has no place in politics and yet it is defended, and even supported by those that actually think their private beliefs should be supported by others.

Peace

[The Storyteller]

I have to disagree with our illustrious mod. I don't think there is anything sacred about religious beliefs. They should fair game for parody as any political position or belief. Where it would have crossed the line is if it attacked an individual for believing such and such thing.

If mocking libs for their exploding heads is fair game, mocking Christians in a general sense of the term should be as well, as long as the mockery isn't specifically directed at an individual on this board.

As to religious intolerance in general, try building a mosque near ground zero, see what kind of tolerance from Christians you get.

[poetry_writer]

Thank you Gregg.......Zigzag,...... God is very much a part of the lives of many people in this country, so I dont believe you will ever see politics and religion separated the way you might want it to be if you are not a person of faith. We believe prayer works. And our country needs HELP. Not everyone perceives things in the same way.

[poetry_writer]

I have to disagree with our illustrious mod. I don't think there is anything sacred about religious beliefs. They should fair game for parody as any political position or belief. Where it would have crossed the line is if it attacked an individual for believing such and such thing.

If mocking libs for their exploding heads is fair game, mocking Christians in a general sense of the term should be as well, as long as the mockery isn't specifically directed at an individual on this board.

As to religious intolerance in general, try building a mosque near ground zero, see what kind of tolerance from Christians you get.

No intention of getting into a war of words here so this will be my last comment on this particular thread and the mocking tone of it...If I mocked atheists, or anyone else, would that also be ok? Is it ever Ok to mock anyone? Can adults discuss and present their points of view without resorting to mocking, which many find childish? Just some comments for thought.