Prayapolooza in Houston

[loosechickens]

I can understand, Catwoman, although in that case, I think I'd be forced to abstain. But, it's hard for me to believe that Rick Perry cares about anything other than his own advancement, and since Texas rates so badly in so many ways against other states, would we want the whole country to sink to that level? If Governor Perry would "like" Texasas President, as he's "liked" Texas during the time he's been governor, I don't think we Texans need any enemies. Even President Obama would like Texas better than Mr. Perry, IMHO........

[JaneV2.0]

One could make the argument that our corporate overlords/modern-day robber barons and their publicly pious supporters are the new Pharisees. In fact, the modern definition of "pharisee" is "sanctimonious hypocrite." Seems apt to me.

[Zigzagman]

One could make the argument that our corporate overlords/modern-day robber barons and their publicly pious supporters are the new Pharisees. In fact, the modern definition of "pharisee" is "sanctimonious hypocrite. Seems apt to me.

Sweet Jane - Lou Reed!! You've probably heard that a million times.

Peace

[JaneV2.0]

Less than you might think.

[Maxamillion]

I'm not against Christians--I used to be one; was raised Southern Baptist & at church every time the doors were open, so I can somewhat understand where they're coming from on some things. I am against people using Christianity (or any other religion for that matter) to further their own personal agenda. I don't mind a politician praying for our country, but it really seems like Perry was making a show of it.

[Zigzagman]

Sociologists have long noticed that Americans registered much higher levels of religiosity than most industrialized nations. G.K. Chesterton called America "the nation with the soul of a church".

Gallup found that Americans register higher religiosity scores -- as measured by self-reported worship attendance, salience of religion in their personal lives, and confidence in religious institutions -- than other residents of North America and every western European country except Ireland.

Consider these findings from the 2010 American Values Survey, conducted by Public Religion Research Institute:

• Nearly six-in-ten (57 percent) Americans say religion is very important or the most important thing in their lives.
• A majority (51 percent) of Americans report attending religious services at least a few times per month.
• Nine-in-ten Americans report that they believe in God. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) believe that God is a person with whom one can have a relationship.
• Nearly seven-in-ten (69 percent) Americans believe that the Bible is the word of God, and nearly half of this group (33 percent) believe that the Bible should also be taken literally, word for word.

Moreover, religion is not only a personal matter for many Americans, but it is also something they see as important in evaluating political leaders.

• A July 2011 PRRI survey found that a majority (56 percent) of Americans say it is very or somewhat important for a presidential candidate to have strong religious beliefs, regardless of whether those beliefs are the same as their own. Majorities of both Democrats (51 percent) and Republicans (71 percent) agree with this statement.
• A 2010 survey by Pew Research Center found that approximately six-in-ten (61 percent) Americans agree that it is important that members of Congress have strong religious beliefs, including 55 percent of Democrats and 77 percent of Republicans.

I find this "Bean Dip Dumb" but as I said earlier, it is what it is. Where is Dudley Doright now that we really need him?

Peace

[Spartana]

I have no doubt that Perry is sincere when he says he is a devout Christian but you do not organize a meeting in Reliant Stadium (football stadium for you Aggies ) as Governor without a political agenda. That is the reason that most of the invited political guests did not RSVP the event. There were cameras. There were people who might buy his book. There was an opportunity to be seen praying the loudest.

A preacher maybe, a revival maybe (lots of room to pass the plate), but not a politician that is probably going to be running for President.

It is what it is - but don't confuse the backlash as being anti-Christian just anti-phony-Christian.

Peace

Agreed. Nothing wrong with large prayer meetings or fests held for the public but there should have been a preacher or other religious leader organizing and leading this. Rick Perry should have attended as just "one of the people" and not as a politician - hosting it as part of a political agenda.

[Gregg]

It appears at least one of Gov. Perry's prayers was answered.

http://www.rickperry.org/join-today/

[Zigzagman]

It appears at least one of Gov. Perry's prayers was answered.

http://www.rickperry.org/join-today/

This is really going to be fun - the redneck against the black guy. The business community and the evangelical community are all doing their wavy hands thing today.

Peace

[Alan]

This is really going to be fun - the redneck against the black guy. The business community and the evangelical community are all doing their wavy hands thing today.

Peace

Ziggy, is it part of the liberal mindset to group people by their skin color?