Prayer during a moment of real tragedy like on 9/11 can be seen as indeed valid due to its role in providing comfort, offering a sense of control, and connecting individuals to a higher power during times of crisis. It serves as a way for people to express grief, seek solace, and find meaning in the face of immense suffering and loss. Disrespecting that deep human emotion is about the most vile offense anyone can do to another.
While some may question the efficacy of prayer in preventing or altering events, its psychological and emotional benefits are widely recognized. Moreover, Matthew 21:22 still resonates with many Christians because it emphasizes the power of faith and belief in prayer. The verse highlights that genuine belief, not just asking, is crucial when communicating with God. It encourages believers to approach prayer with confidence, believing that their faith can lead to tangible outcomes
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I totally get how prayer is meaningful for many people even if it has no meaning in my own life. However, when someone responds to a tragedy with "thoughts and prayers," that can come off as condescending. Same when a religious person tells an atheist "I'll pray for you." My first thought when I hear that is "no you won't" followed by "and you must think you're so superior." I wish these people would read the Book of James, probably their least favorite.
@LeopoldBloom You hit the right note there. It's indeed my right to pray, and disrespecting anyone in a tragedy who wants to turn to praying is indeed wrong. It's actually laughing at someone's dependency, someone's handicap. The disrespect is at that level. It's vile
@LeopoldBloom Why inject that attitude upon them... Thinking that they are expressing a superior attitude??
Thats all coming from YOU... You're projecting that upon Them..
I have never had those kinds of attitudes when i have prayed for another person or people caught up in a tradgedy..
Book of James ? What is it about the book of James that makes you think it is hard for believers to read? I will go and read it and see if anything in it causes me trouble.. But i have read it before and it never caused me too much trouble then..
@val70 I also think it's disrespectful when someone shoves prayer in my face when they know I get no personal benefit from it. So it's more about them wanting to feel good about themselves than to actually do anything substantive for the other person.
@Adstar That's nice, maybe you're one of the good ones. However, I definitely pick up the vibe I described from some religious people.
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”[e] and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
@LeopoldBloom Sure, but the vile drips more faster from those who just react with ridicule to someone in real need who turns to prayer. That's really akind to laughing at a real handicap and not just a stutter
