Paul Ryan Criticized over "Thoughts and Prayers" Comment

[Pat Mustard]

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.

Ok I'll put in simple terms for the hard of thinking, prayer is all too often used in substitution for doing something constructive. When somebody in public says "my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of X" you know they haven't a single fuck to give to the victims and will not lift a finger to help them.