Prayer/Vibes ... whatever you want to call it

[DickMcMahon 0]

Isn’t interesting how the word “prayer” is used so often after
tragedies like the Virginia shootings? Newscasters and
politicians (who would otherwise avoid a religious comment)
say such things as, “Our thoughts and prayers are with them”.

Maybe this goes back to the old adage that “there are no atheists
in foxholes”.

A higher power is needed in situations like this whether or not
there’s a separation of church and state.

____________________________
website: Dick’s Stuff

[darwin143 0]

It's such a common saying I doubt they think twice before saying it.

Even as a separation of church and state "enthusiast," these things don't bother me. Prayer helps people get through tragedies like these. It really has nothing to do with sep. of church and state, they're just exercising their right to free speech. It would, however, be compeltely different if they were making policies about it

My thoughts and good wishes are with those affected by the shootings...I'll leave the praying to others

[philh 0]

"Isn’t interesting how the word “prayer” is used so often after tragedies like the Virginia shootings? Newscasters and politicians (who would otherwise avoid a religious comment) say such things as, “Our thoughts and prayers are with them”. "

My experience is that that is common in the USA not in Europe, it just reflects the more widespread acceptance of religion in the USA, so what?

"Maybe this goes back to the old adage that “there are no atheists
in foxholes”. "

http://www.atheistfoxholes.org/about.php


"A higher power is needed in situations like this whether or not there’s a separation of church and state. "

a higher power, if it existed and was interested in our affairs, might have actually prevented the massacre. I think what you mean ia a blief in a higher power, thats not the same thing.

[ErricoMalatesta 0]

Quote

Isn’t interesting how the word “prayer” is used so often after
tragedies like the Virginia shootings? Newscasters and
politicians (who would otherwise avoid a religious comment)
say such things as, “Our thoughts and prayers are with them”.

Maybe this goes back to the old adage that “there are no atheists
in foxholes”.

A higher power is needed in situations like this whether or not
there’s a separation of church and state.

or maybe its because the U.S is just as fundamental as Iran

[DickMcMahon 0]

Philh:

Thanks for the link to the “Atheists in a Foxhole” website.
You know, if nothing else the Virginia shooting incident
opens a dialogue about things like this (although it’s a
terrible way to do it).

Rather than just having a blind belief (or non-belief) in a
higher power, I’ve got to be logical about it. Here’s a link
to where my thoughts have gone if you’re interested.
Monkey


Dick

[peregrinerose 0]

I don't think a higher power is 'needed', but I also don't see a problem with using the word 'prayer' by politicians or newscasters. Even for those of us that don't believe in prayer, I can't imagine there are very many people now that don't have the VT family in their thoughts and wishing them well and healing.

Do or do not, there is no try -Yoda

[DickMcMahon 0]

Just curious ... do atheists ever say, "Goddammit"
or, "For Heaven's sake" when they talk?

Website: Dick’s Stuff
Is it still considered a naked skydive if you’re wearing a helmet?

[jakee 1,271]

Quote

Just curious ... do atheists ever say, "Goddammit"
or, "For Heaven's sake" when they talk?

And why do I say 'bugger' and 'sod' when I'm not a homosexual?

Could it be because they are commonly used expressions that I learned a long time ago?

Nah, there must be a deeper meaning than that!

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[Axe_Murderer 0]

Quote

I don't think a higher power is 'needed', but I also don't see a problem with using the word 'prayer' by politicians or newscasters. Even for those of us that don't believe in prayer, I can't imagine there are very many people now that don't have the VT family in their thoughts and wishing them well and healing.

only about 5 billion people who don't give a toss, but apart from those few...yeah, you're right

[philh 0]

Yes I think many atheists (me included) do say goddammit and other religiously decorated language. I (ad many others like me) do not deny the our cultural heritage, onl the validity of its assumptions, that a big differnce BTW I started to read your link but there was too much stufff, maybe you can sumarise your point here.

[DickMcMahon 0]

Quote

BTW I started to read your link but there was too much stufff,
maybe you can sumarise your point here.

Yeah, there IS a lot there. It's from a book I tried to write
one time. The summary you're looking for is probably best
described in the last part of the MONKEY section ... LINK

[philh 0]

I read your last page and I think there are many uinjustified assumptions first off:

"It appears to me that he's either all-loving or all-powerful, but not both."
or neither or he doesnt exist in the first place.


"If we're all here by accident and are subject to chance throughout our lives, only eventually to die with no hope of a future, who cares about standards and values! If we're just advanced animals, let's behave like animals! (Gaukroger)"

At most this quote tells us why we might want god to be real, but wanting something to be real does not make it real. I could just easily say a world without unicorns would nto be worth living in so unicrons must exist.
Moreover we do behave like animals, studies of animal behaviour (especially primate) behaviour show many similarity with human beaviour inlucidng compassion, aggression, political manouvering etc etc.
The reaosn to have standrads and for life to have value is precisely because we only get one life so we have to make the most of it. If you believe in an eternity in paradise the value of this life can be diminished and in no small number of cases this has can lead to suicide bombings , inquisitions and sorts of attrocities. By the way evolution is not random, it involves a random element (mutation) and a non random element(selection).