Singularity

If you want to come across lovingly and respectfully to a fellow human who happens to be an atheist, you MUST realize it is good to consider that sometimes offering unsolicited prayers for an atheist is similar to throwing meat all over a vegetarian's salad. No real harm done. Ha, ha! Easy enough to brush it off, quietly go get another one.

If you wish to express love and concern by praying for an unbeleiver, pray privately without mentioning it, the way Jesus suggested, (closet, left hand, right hand . . ). It seems to me that announcing you are going to do something to someone that you KNOW they do not want you to do is an aggressively arrogant, almost hateful act!

Is there some scriptural reason to suppose your prayer is augmented if the subject being prayed for is pissed about it?

Singularity

I know for many Christians, prayer for another is considered a loving act. If that is your motive, thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

I feel sorry you feel that way. We are all responsible for how we feel. No one can ever make us feel a certain way. That is something we must determine.

Blacksheep

So you're against hunting, the slaughter of animals for food, any destruction of habitat, any expansion of human habitation because that destroys habitat, any dumping of our waste anywhere, the netting and killing of fish and other sea creatures, anything that does harm to any living creature, because when a fish or porpoise or seal is trapped and dies in a lost fishing net, that's violence -which it is- committed against creatures of the sea as a result of the very act of violence of harvesting them.

If you push a shovel into the earth you'll very likely slice up some earthworms in a violent fashion. We're talking ALL VIOLENCE here, remember, "to the kingdom of God". Are not all creatures of the kingdom of God? Or are just humans of the kingdom of God and not anything else? If that's true, why would we have laws against cruelty to animals? What difference does it make if we're cruel to them or not? A seal caught in a lost fishing seine and drowning is a pretty damned cruel death, isn't it? But we excuse that as an "unfortunate accident" and cry out for those lost nets to be found and removed. No one gets punished for losing them. The nets remain.

We violently hunt down and kill all the mountain lions we can, the deer population greatly increases and then we have lots of fun killing deer for sport. Sport killing is fun. Killing for fun. Sport. Got it? Violence. Are you against it?

If we're to end violence, we have to stop having so many babies. That's the bottom line. Since you think that all human life is sacred, and killing unborn babies is awful, then to stop all our violence we need to stop pregnancies from starting. How about that? Do you like that? Only allow chosen couples to have one child, maybe? How would you stop the extreme violence of human population expansion resulting in the murders of all the other creatures we're supposed to share this orb with?

If any one life is sacred, then all life is sacred. No one thinks cockroach lives or fly lives are sacred, they invade everything, are filthy, and multiply rapidly. Exactly like humans.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Yes. Of course it is meant from a spirit of love. It is also because I want to share. Think of it this way. Suppose you see something amazing or beautiful. I imagine you want to show it to someone else so they can also enjoy it. Or if you won the lotto and realized you had so much money you could never use all of it on yourself. You may be tempted to give some of it to others so they can have some security. I don't know if those are the best examples but you probably get my drift. From my perspective God is big enough for everyone. Since He has done so much in my life, I would love to see others get to enjoy having God in their life.

Blacksheep

Very well put. Unfortunately, not one single Christian out of the billions will ever admit that their prayers for someone are best made quietly and without fanfare. They all want you to know how very righteous they are by broadcasting to the world that they're praying for you, you poor lost sinner, and if you don't like being told about it, that's your fault. They have no control over how you feel.

On the other hand, tell them that their beliefs are superstitious crap and watch the rage explode, especially after you explain in factual detail exactly WHY their beliefs are crap.

Christians are hypocrites.

Rufus said: "I feel sorry you feel that way. We are all responsible for how we feel. No one can ever make us feel a certain way. That is something we must determine."

There it is. Thanks, Christian hypocrite, for saying exactly what I said you'd say.

Blacksheep

dual post. deleted.

Blacksheep

Mathew 6 : 6

Jesus said

"When you pray, you are not to be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners so that they may be seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

Yet not one so-called, self-proclaimed "Christian" in ten million will do as Jesus instructed.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Amen brother. Let it be known throughout the land that I, Rufus am compelled to pray for my poor little lost black sheep. Lawd knows he is a sinner. Lawd knows he needs it. Lawd knows he is lost and there are wolves all around him looking to devour this poor lost soul. Lawd please here my prayers and have mercy on this poor little lost black sheep. This is Rufus Lawd. Please turn him around before he goes off the cliff. Oh Lawd, You know he is headed for certain destruction. Save him Lawd. Save him now. This is Rufus Lawd. Amen and Amen.
Hey Blacksheep. Now you know I couldn't resist that. Hope all is well with you. I need a nap. You heathen are wearing me out. Amen? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

PoppaGringo Loc: Muslim City, Mexifornia, B.R.

I am not greedy Rufus, all I want is one. I have been alone since 25 Mar 2001 so I think you could spare at least one of the sisters couldn't you? I fully realize that after meeting you and Rock I would probably be relegated to the end of the line, but please don't dash my dreams.

pas Loc: Flordia

Well, this is a "sticky wicket" eh? This is Christian theology. There are many organized religions...one in particular sanctions all sorts of brutality. Each organized religion seems to think it has a lock on the Truth, and everyone else is just flat out wrong. What hubris! I firmly believe that dogma is a way of controlling peoples' behavior and their money. Violence and oppression is the habitual history of these "peaceful" "loving" religions. Human beings have free will and they are responsible for their choices. How about practicing self mastery, the first step of which is kindness. How about a philosophy of do no harm? People need to mind their own business.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Alright deadgummit. You know I'm a sucker for a brother suffering. I don't think you have to worry though. If they look anything like Linda we will all be in heaven. Amen? I have got to go lay these old bones down and take a nap. Later alligator.

Blacksheep

Being a hypocrite isn't a joke. I have an idea, if you're so devout, why don't you pray to Jesus and tell him what a fine joke you had and how you know that what he said really didn't mean anything. Maybe he'll show himself and you two can have a good laugh together.

By trying to make a joke of your hypocrisy, you only make it worse and that tells me that you don't believe in this Jesus stuff one bit. If you took it seriously, you'd wipe the smirk off your face and apologize. If not to me, at least to your god.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Good point. :thumbup: I am a Christian but do not believe in religion. I especially do not believe in denominations. I attend a non denominational church. Religion is man's intervention. Man is fallible. Religion is practicing rites and rituals. I believe in God, Jesus and God's inspired Word. I don't care about mans opinions. I care about what God says because He is the authority.

Rufus Loc: Deep South

Wow. I thought you were much bigger than this. I don't need to tell Jesus anything and He already knows I believe in Him and respect Him. I was trying to be funny. I did not realize you had anger in your heart. I did not realize you don't have a sense of humor. Have a nice life. I am going to enjoy a nap.