Rick Perry offers a prayer for Obama at 'The Response' rally

The Viking wrote:

Kate wrote:

The Viking wrote: And here is a question that I have net heard anyone answer. Why are people so against anyone in our Government praying? Those who sued and protested are basically saying that once you are in office you can no longer pray in public. This was not government sanctioned, not on government property and tax money was not used to fund it, so why are some people so against a Governor leading prayer at a private event?

Which one of the many gods should the government pray to? Which is the correct god? That is the question I have never heard anyone answer.

I have no problem with Perry praying to whatever god(s) he wants to in a private assembly. Go for it, Rick. Just don't do it on the public dime.

This was a private assembly and it wasn't on any public dime. That is why I don't get why people are so upset?

I don't care either, since it was not on the public dime. I thought I made that clear.

Now, which god(s) should the government pray to? Which is the correct god(s)? That's the question that you are evading. If you answer that, and I am sure you won't, then you will get an answer to your question.

The Viking wrote:

Kate wrote:

The Viking wrote: And here is a question that I have net heard anyone answer. Why are people so against anyone in our Government praying? Those who sued and protested are basically saying that once you are in office you can no longer pray in public. This was not government sanctioned, not on government property and tax money was not used to fund it, so why are some people so against a Governor leading prayer at a private event?

The article you posted did not list any lawsuits. Who is saying that you can't pray in public if you are in elected office?

It was all over the news about him being sued to stop this event by Athiest and Agnostic groups. Why don't they mind their own business? The cases were thrown out because they are a bunch of whack jobs.

It's like the saying goes...... If a Republican doesn't like guns, he doesn't buy one. If a Democrat doesn't like guns, he wants all guns outlawed.

Same here..... If a Republican doesn't like a religion, he doesn't participate. If a Democrat doesn't like a religion, he wants all religions outlawed.

I have not read or heard of any lawsuits, that's why I asked the question.

BTW - I, and other Democrats, do not want all religions outlawed. That's just a flat out lie. If you have some proof to back up that assertion, by all means, please do post it. But go ahead and use your broad brush to validate your spinning view of reality. It's entertaining.

Viking -

What does public prayer have to do with individual responsibility? There are plenty of people who imagine that being part of prayer incorporated is their ticket to heaven, and personal success.

You can stand in the town square and pound your chest about morality all you like - but there's bills to be paid. While I believe in prayer - I believe prayer is a personal thing - and best left that way.

Prayer was never supposed to be a grandstand event.

Finally - the 10 commandments include a command not to use the name of G-d in vain.

I have a growing suspicion that most politicians who pray in public - are doing precisely that.

I think G-d is more pleased when we worship Him in action - than when we merely talk about Him.

If a Republican doesn't like a religion, he doesn't participate. If a Democrat doesn't like a religion, he wants all religions outlawed.

Would that be like Marriage Equality?

...If a Democrat doesn't like gay marriage, he doesn't marry a gay person. If a Republican doesn't like gay marriage, he wants gay marriages outlawed.

Would that be like legally terminating a pregnancy?

...If a Democrat doesn't like abortion, she doesn't doesn't have one. If a Republican doesn't like abortion, they want abortion outlawed.

Would that be like membership in unions?

...If a Democrat doesn't like unions, he doesn't join one. If a Republican doesn't like unions, he wants unions outlawed.


and the list goes on and on....

I love the smell of hypocrisy in the morning....

Interesting article: Five Scriptures You Won’t Hear at Rick Perry’s Prayer Event

https://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/08/03-7

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray in public places to be seen by others… But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your heavenly parent, who is unseen.” (Matt. 6:5-6)

While Jesus never addressed the issues most important to some of this event’s co-sponsors, such as homosexuality and abortion, he did speak out against public displays of religion.

“God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matt. 5:45)

Perry recently called Texans to pray for rain, which implies that God steers clouds toward the worthy.

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.” (Acts 10:34)

When the Bible says that God is not a “respecter of persons” it means that God doesn’t have a favorite country or religion.

“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me… Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:21-24)

The prophet Amos chastised the religion of his day for praying to God while mistreating people. Texas leads the nation in citizens who are uninsured, who work for minimum wage, and who die from unsafe working conditions on construction sites.

When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) it was to teach humility to a rich young zealot who thought he was approaching moral perfection. The Samaritans were the scapegoats of the day. The rich young ruler would consider Samarians heretics and immoral people. Jesus used a merciful Samaritan as the example of ethical perfection. It is a lesson many Christians have yet to learn.