Nothing Fails Like...
Any Faith There?
I was working in Flagstaff, AZ today and came across a car with a bumper sticker that read: "Nothing fails like prayer."
Unbelievable
That's exactly what I thought of the bumper sticker (refering to the title of this paragraph), and the person who spent money to buy it and paste it on their car.
Athiest Or Faithless?
...or both? It's hard for me to think there are people out there who don't think there's some sort of higher power in the universe. It's not that I don't respect their opinion, it's that I can't see not believing.
How Can You Respect That?
I believe respect is something everyone with a conscience should bestow on everyone regardless--as long as morals and ethics apply. I like to think that people respect my decisions, ideas and thoughts regardless of what they believe or think. I totally believe in prayer.
I'm not expecting or asking others to agree with what I believe or think, just to respect the fact that it's my opinion which I'm entitled to, as they are entitled to their own opinions, thoughts and beliefs.
Killers, Rapists...
It's difficult to respect anyone who willingly and without regard to what they're doing, kills someone else or takes a person's ability to offer physical pleasure to another without their permission.
At the minimum, and this is with great reservation, I respect the fact that they are human and can do what ever they want, but such an act goes beyond what should be allowed. I suspect these people who allow their "evil" desires to manifest don't understand many things about respecting others...and respect in general.
The only respect I offer such a person is the fact that they are their own person and can decide what they want to say, do, believe and think. I don't want to be accused of cramming my beliefs, thoughts and opinions down their throat. But I most certainly don't respect such acts, and the person who gives themselves over to such desires.
Prayer
I can't help but want to pray for such a person who does not believe in the power of prayer--what I whole-hearted believe is the unseen force that helps change the world.
Above: Current Time And Weather In Flagstaff, AZ USA
Time Of Posting: 5:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Current Tunes: 311 - "Come Original"
Weather At Posting: 63 F 17 C
Current Mood: Relaxin'
Last Meal: California Eggs Benedict - Typical eggs benedict with turkey, avocado and roasted & seasoned potato cubes (I had asparagus added to the benedict--Mmmmmm!).
Above: An up-to-the-minute picture of the Flagstaff, Arizona USA area. Looking North toward the San Francisco Peaks from a dorm at Northern Arizona University.
posted by Zachholio @ Tuesday, September 28, 2004
1 Comments:
As one of the many people who own a "Nothing Fails Like Prayer" bumper sticker, perhaps I can shed some light upon our frustration with the religious mindset. Personally, I find it terrifying that any intelligent and rational person could seriously rely upon prayer to initiate change in the world. Relying solely upon prayer to initiate positive change is, at the very least, selfish and dangerous thinking. Certainly, human aid is far more effective than divine well-wishing. Isn't it a loftier endeavor to focus our energy into healing the ills of the world, rather than deferring to a God who wouldn't prevent them in the first place?
The Tsumani victims don't need your prayers. The families of our troops in Iraq don't need your prayers. What they DO need are your donations, volunteer efforts, and tangible support.
I believe that "Nothing Fails Like Prayer" is a very worthy public service announcement. Simply put: instead of believing in a higher power, many of us choose to believe in ourselves.
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