(November 8, 2017 at 8:29 am)Catholic_Lady Wrote: Well, since apparently it needs to be said for the 3rd time:
Praying and doing nothing else when there are things you can do isn't enough. Prayer should always be accompanied by taking action when possible. That's why we have the Corporal Works of Mercy: feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc. Prayer is meant to be a supplement to whatever action is possible, not a substitute for it.
So, unless someone is only praying and not helping when they have the opportunity to, I don't see why anyone would take issue with it. Especially when it brings a sense of comfort and peace to people who, oh, I don't know, just lost their daughter to a violent attack? Maybe we shouldn't use this as an opportunity to criticise prayer just for the heck of it when there are people out there who lost the ones they love most and feel comforted by prayers.
CL, I am going to put this politely as possible.
Jews pray as well.
Muslims pray as well.
Hindus pray as well.
Buddhists pray as well. Not to a god, ok, but to their ancestors and spirits.
Most of the world prays. Yet the planet averages 50 to 60 million deaths WORLDWIDE on average per year, year after year decade after decade. Humans have been praying FOREVER.
Our species was around long before any written religion. Life was around long before humans. Our planet is 4 billion years old, and has suffered in that time 5 mass extinction events. I don't see a God, or gods or spirits being up there, or anywhere. I see humans fearing death. I see humans fearing being finite. I see humans reflecting their social norms locally, mostly handed down to them by their parents.
Actions work. Pray at best only offers comfort, but it will never replace action.
