warning...semi rant ahead...
First of all, I will make myself clear. If you spent today in prayer, alone or in the community of others, I respect that. And in the U.S. and a lot of other nations, we are fortunate to live where the act of prayer is allowed, even encouraged, and not driven underground.
That said, I do not feel it is the business of our government to go about promoting prayer. As much as I feel it is not the business of our government to promote meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, reading "Chicken Soup for the Soul" books, dancing naked around a bonfire, or any other practice that suggests spirituality.
I am not a praying person. I always felt strange petitioning some father figure Up There, who already was supposed to know my needs and have some Divine Plan for me, with my own needs and wants of the day. I learned at an early age that we do not always get what we pray for. So why pray? But if it brings you peace, that is good.
I would rather see a "National Day of Reconciliation". "National Day of Talking To Your Neighbors". "National Day Where Hate Is Forbidden". "National Day of Tearing Down Walls". Prayer is easy. Action, not so much.
You may say I'm a dreamer... but am I the only one?
8 comments:
ahhhhhh
dear deb,
you're not alone
~peace & love~
You're not the only one!
I don't think the National Day of Prayer is so much for that activity (really, shouldn't folks be praying every day?), but it works well as a chip to wear on the shoulder for some. It's a ready-made device for smoking out the "enemy" who would dare object to it so that they can be vilified and objected to themselves.
It's pure political posturing.
Oh, the pretension of piety. I agree Deb and Pablo's comment is right on target.
I'm with you, Deb! It is nothing but politics and is directly related to the attempts by the Texas Board of Education to re-write our history books claiming that the USA was founded as a Christian nation. Funny how they have to excise Thomas Jefferson and other founding fathers to do so...
Anyway, thanks for the rant. :)
LOL!
All I could think about, reading this post, was that I am SO GLAD the gov't doesn't want us all to dance naked around a bonfire! I mean, public nudity is a privilege, not a right, ya know what I'm sayin'?
*hangs her head in shame* Sorry, darlin'. You have such a valid point, here, and I wrecked it with a childish observation. ;)
You go, girl. I agree 100%. But about prayers being answered - sometimes the answer is 'not now.'
You are so right! To many politicians cloaking themselves in religiosity, while giving to the fat cats to the detriment of those who really need our help. I think I shall go talk to my neighbor - perhaps in the nude.
Amen! Well said. I prefer my meditations in private and I definitely could go for National Day Where Hate Is Forbidden!
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