Can we pray?

DELIMAN092262 · 09-29-2010, 09:05 PM

Some people claim religious people wish to impose their views on others. Perhaps it is the atheist imposing their views.

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/29...ootball-games/

A private league that runs football for children. A league that receives no tax dollars. A league that allows the teams to hold a voluntary prayer before their games. Remember the primary purpose of the league is football for kids.

Just what “official” religion are they establishing? I doubt even stretch Armstrong could be stretched that far?

Saoirse · 09-30-2010, 06:19 AM

I feel like prayer could be considered cheating.

StickMan · 09-30-2010, 07:25 AM

As a religious man, the idea of someone stopping a voluntary prayer is abhorrent to me. However, the article doesn't say why the man opposed it. Is his son being shunned for not participating? Getting dragged in despite his protests? If so, the dad may have a point, for all the good it'll do him.

bigmac · 09-30-2010, 07:34 AM

This father doesn't have a clue regarding what his 1st amendment rights actually are. But the question is why is this a news story. The father asked for something he wasn't entitled to and didn't get it. So what?

If the city counsel actually forbade prayer then you'd have a story.

imfree · 09-30-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saoirse

I feel like prayer could be considered cheating.

God is not a respecter of persons and, by nature, shouldn't
favor team one over the other. Good sportsmanship would
be to pray for the safety of all players, regardless of teams,
anyway. Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.....

Rojodi · 09-30-2010, 12:48 PM

IF the games are played on private land, then the league has every right to hold voluntary prayer before every game.

When I played soccer, I made a quick prayer as I made my inital entrance onto the pitch: Let me have a good game, Don't let me get hurt, Let everyone have a good game without injury. I NEVER asked for the Lord's or any of my patron Saints to help me win. Why? Because they don't give a shit who wins or loses!!!!

frankman · 09-30-2010, 04:04 PM

Yes you can pray.

Nutjobs are everywhere, some religious, some atheist.

Praying for victory though, is stupid even in religious terms, but that's beside the point. If they want to pray, let em.

mossystate · 09-30-2010, 04:27 PM

lettuce

.......

hal84 · 09-30-2010, 05:47 PM

As a person who played football thru out high school. Everyone lowered there head and my high school football caoch would say a small prayer. No partent complained because if there son didn't want to hear it he was in his own world at that point to get ready for a physically demanding game. I think the father is off base, the prayer wasn't an aspiration towards a God, but just thankful that no one was serisouly hurt!

thirtiesgirl · 09-30-2010, 06:10 PM

To the collective 'you' who often say things like "I'll pray for you," when I tell them about hard times in my life, or they disagree with how I choose to live it: when you pray for me, you're only making yourself feel better. I can't stop you from doing it, but please keep it to yourself. I'm not asking for your prayers.

Dr. Feelgood · 09-30-2010, 07:12 PM

What's the difference between intercessory prayer and backseat driving?

Adrian · 09-30-2010, 11:53 PM

If an atheist, is on a team voluntarily, and the coach ask the members of the team to lower their heads and say a prayer... all those who don't want to participate simply stand quiet and not interact. When the prayer is over everyone gets ready for the kick-off.
To me it is not any different than a non-religious person at a parochial school, when prayers are said (regardless of the reason), the non-religious is polite, doesn't disturb or, participate. [My oldest son went to a Catholic high school, we are not Catholic and, he didn't pray with the team members or classmates. He just respected what they were doing.]

imfree · 10-01-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Feelgood

What's the difference between intercessory prayer and backseat driving?

Trouble is the difference between prayer and back-seat driving.
Some people pray for others to get out of trouble, but we all
know that back-seat driving is a great way to get in trouble!

LovelyLiz · 10-01-2010, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirtiesgirl

To the collective 'you' who often say things like "I'll pray for you," when I tell them about hard times in my life, or they disagree with how I choose to live it: when you pray for me, you're only making yourself feel better. I can't stop you from doing it, but please keep it to yourself. I'm not asking for your prayers.

I am a "religious" person, and I pray, but I don't tell people I will pray for them if they are not someone I know shares my tradition. I agree with you that it assumes a commonality that very well may not exist, and it's better just not to say it.

But why the hostility toward people who are simply trying to offer you care? Maybe it's not in the way you'd want it, but it's still someone trying to offer you some kindness - even if imperfectly. That's not a super common thing in this world, you know? So I don't fully get your hostility - and I'm just curious what that's all about.

If some new age spiritualist said they would vibe me with their crystals (or whatever they do

), even though I don't believe in that, I'd be thankful they care enough about my struggle to want to be even slightly invested. It's not like they are hurting me or putting me out in any way, and they are just offering their own version of care and kindness.

09-29-2010, 09:05 PM	#1
DELIMAN092262 Executive Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: PA Posts: 6,681	Can we pray? Some people claim religious people wish to impose their views on others. Perhaps it is the atheist imposing their views. http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/29...ootball-games/ A private league that runs football for children. A league that receives no tax dollars. A league that allows the teams to hold a voluntary prayer before their games. Remember the primary purpose of the league is football for kids. Just what “official” religion are they establishing? I doubt even stretch Armstrong could be stretched that far?

09-30-2010, 06:19 AM	#2
Saoirse Master Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 2,409	I feel like prayer could be considered cheating. __________________ A match in the rain, a moth to the flame A pleasure-seeking yahoo with a penchant for pain A double-decker bus of trouble, I'm in the way

09-30-2010, 07:34 AM	#4
bigmac Executive Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Sunny California -- the middle part no one goes to unless they have to Posts: 5,085	This father doesn't have a clue regarding what his 1st amendment rights actually are. But the question is why is this a news story. The father asked for something he wasn't entitled to and didn't get it. So what? If the city counsel actually forbade prayer then you'd have a story. Last edited by bigmac : 09-30-2010 at 07:46 AM.

09-30-2010, 12:48 PM	#6
Rojodi Master Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 2,433	IF the games are played on private land, then the league has every right to hold voluntary prayer before every game. When I played soccer, I made a quick prayer as I made my inital entrance onto the pitch: Let me have a good game, Don't let me get hurt, Let everyone have a good game without injury. I NEVER asked for the Lord's or any of my patron Saints to help me win. Why? Because they don't give a shit who wins or loses!!!! __________________ Enter a small room. Doors close. When doors open, you're in a different place. Elevators are the next best thing to wormholes

09-30-2010, 04:04 PM	#7
frankman The Eternal Cowboy Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,677	Yes you can pray. Nutjobs are everywhere, some religious, some atheist. Praying for victory though, is stupid even in religious terms, but that's beside the point. If they want to pray, let em. __________________ FNORD

09-30-2010, 07:25 AM	#3
StickMan Two-Dimentional Character Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: College! Try and figure out which one. Posts: 116	As a religious man, the idea of someone stopping a voluntary prayer is abhorrent to me. However, the article doesn't say why the man opposed it. Is his son being shunned for not participating? Getting dragged in despite his protests? If so, the dad may have a point, for all the good it'll do him.

09-30-2010, 04:27 PM	#8
mossystate flicks a booger on conrad Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 13,127	lettuce .......

09-30-2010, 05:47 PM	#9
hal84 Master Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Rochester Posts: 1,733	As a person who played football thru out high school. Everyone lowered there head and my high school football caoch would say a small prayer. No partent complained because if there son didn't want to hear it he was in his own world at that point to get ready for a physically demanding game. I think the father is off base, the prayer wasn't an aspiration towards a God, but just thankful that no one was serisouly hurt! __________________ Anything can be beautiful

09-30-2010, 06:10 PM	#10
thirtiesgirl frumious bandersnatch Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Loss Angeles Posts: 1,464	To the collective 'you' who often say things like "I'll pray for you," when I tell them about hard times in my life, or they disagree with how I choose to live it: when you pray for me, you're only making yourself feel better. I can't stop you from doing it, but please keep it to yourself. I'm not asking for your prayers. __________________ Some girls are bigger than others. ~The Smiths

09-30-2010, 07:12 PM	#11
Dr. Feelgood intellectual nerd Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: the Twilight Zone Posts: 3,999	What's the difference between intercessory prayer and backseat driving? __________________ Now all you women, Don't you come around Unless you weigh 'Bout fo' hundred pound... -- Dr. Feelgood & the Interns

09-30-2010, 11:53 PM	#12
Adrian ?? Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Silicon Valley, Calif. Posts: 1,260	Re: Can we pray? If an atheist, is on a team voluntarily, and the coach ask the members of the team to lower their heads and say a prayer... all those who don't want to participate simply stand quiet and not interact. When the prayer is over everyone gets ready for the kick-off. To me it is not any different than a non-religious person at a parochial school, when prayers are said (regardless of the reason), the non-religious is polite, doesn't disturb or, participate. [My oldest son went to a Catholic high school, we are not Catholic and, he didn't pray with the team members or classmates. He just respected what they were doing.] Last edited by Adrian : 09-30-2010 at 11:55 PM.

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