stop asking people to pray

[Optimist Prime]

That's really not cool.

What the hell crawled up your ass today?

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
That's really not cool.

I think it's fair to ask people who are comfortable with praying to do it.

If you're not comfortable, don't.

Everyone can make his/her own decision.

[bluz4]

I would have to agree with OP, seriously. I think the asking people to pray at random events is getting a little offensive. My friend told me that a month ago before her exercise workshop began, the instructor asked everyone to hold her hands and say a prayer to the Heavenly Father. Now my friend is Catholic, but she said that she was offended by the prayer b/c she knew that not everyone in the class was Christian -- one woman is Jewish, another is Buddhist. She said she felt put off by it.

[DeltaSigStan]

Especially the "So and so is in my THOUGHTS."

[PsychTau]

Originally posted by bluz4
I would have to agree with OP, seriously. I think the asking people to pray at random events is getting a little offensive. My friend told me that a month ago before her exercise workshop began, the instructor asked everyone to hold her hands and say a prayer to the Heavenly Father. Now my friend is Catholic, but she said that she was offended by the prayer b/c she knew that not everyone in the class was Christian -- one woman is Jewish, another is Buddhist. She said she felt put off by it.

Yes, but would she have been just as put off if the instructor just said "Please pray"? That would leave the word pray open to your personal interpretation on WHO you actually pray to....Jewish people pray, do Buddhists do something similar (I actually don't know)? I guess it depends on the definition of the word "pray". It also depends on how the request is phrased...

Personally, I don't let it get to me. There are bigger things to worry about than whether or not a request to pray is someone forcing their religion into a situation where it doesn't belong. I can ignore a request like that. (And if they were telling me "You have to pray before we can do such-and-such" then I would be like "Who the hell gave you the power to tell me what to do??"

[RUgreek]

hmm, i guess the politically correct thing to ask for is a moment of silence. Can we all agree the neutral and and non-offensive, non-denominational form of respect for those suffering that may or may not be of a particular faith will take part in a silent reflection on a specific tragedy. Please understand by observing this moment of silence, you and your party do not support or condone the actions of the other or group in which the belong to. All moments of silence are taken as is and will not be considered prayers at any time regardless of what you do during that moment of silence. Please also recognize that any head bowing or eyes closing is the choice of each individual and that you should not feel pressured to follow these actions as well.

In sum, when people ask to pray, sometimes it's just not meant to harm anyone's feelings. I agree asking everyone to pray for them can be tiresome and iritating, but just don't get too worked up over it.

(For full effect, please listen to MC Hammer "We Got to Pray" in the background while reading my post)

[bluz4]

Originally posted by PsychTau
Yes, but would she have been just as put off if the instructor just said "Please pray"? That would leave the word pray open to your personal interpretation on WHO you actually pray to....Jewish people pray, do Buddhists do something similar (I actually don't know)? I guess it depends on the definition of the word "pray". It also depends on how the request is phrased...

Personally, I don't let it get to me. There are bigger things to worry about than whether or not a request to pray is someone forcing their religion into a situation where it doesn't belong. I can ignore a request like that. (And if they were telling me "You have to pray before we can do such-and-such" then I would be like "Who the hell gave you the power to tell me what to do??"

I'm not sure how the instructor phrased it. I think I personally would rather someone say: "Can we take a moment of silence?" Because some people don't pray; some people don't acknowledge a God. I too don't think though that it's a big deal. I'm just noticing that more and more people around me seem to be pushing the prayer, God, Bible thing around. And while in all honesty, that is a harmless thing... it still seems to disregard others' beliefs and individual values... you know?

[honeychile]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I think it's fair to ask people who are comfortable with praying to do it.

If you're not comfortable, don't.

Everyone can make his/her own decision.

"Please pray" does not equal "Or else!"

I'd like to think that we're grown ups here. No one's forcing you to respond.

If praying is "not cool", then I'm a geek - AND very comfortable with it!

[Hootie]

First, what does this have to do with Greek Life? No offense Billy!

Second - asking for prayers is not UNCOOL. If you're asked to pray and you don't feel comfortable with it, then don't. But deep down only you have the Lord to answer to. If you're sick of people asking you to pray then remember you thought/said that when you wish others to pray with you...
But as a true Christian I would still pray for you/with you. But just remember

Just my 2 cents and I don't wish to get flammed for my opinions.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by bluz4
My friend told me that a month ago before her exercise workshop began, the instructor asked everyone to hold her hands and say a prayer to the Heavenly Father.

Guess I feel a little differently about someone on GC asking those who are comfortable to pray for a certain person or group for a specific reason, than with someone who just decides to ask any random group to pray generically.

[socialbutterfly]

I think if you want others to do something they might not agree on, such as religon, then perhaps people should ask to keep them mind or just take a moment of silence, but again, I don't think making a thread about a person that only you know is something everyone on GC wants to know about or this thread wouldn't have been made.
I'm not trying to offend the person who is asking for prayer, I'm just trying to let you know that not all people will accept your invite to pray for the person you have in mind and that the word Prayer isn't in everyone's vocabulary or beliefs so you need to be prepared to handle questions and comments like the one addressed in this thread.

[33girl]

Where did this come from?? Can I have a link or something?

Bad song choice RUGreek, since we totally dirtified the lyrics to it. LOL. Seeing as he came out with "Pumps and a Bump" later on I don't feel too guilty.

[PsychTau]

Originally posted by bluz4
I'm not sure how the instructor phrased it. I think I personally would rather someone say: "Can we take a moment of silence?" Because some people don't pray; some people don't acknowledge a God. I too don't think though that it's a big deal. I'm just noticing that more and more people around me seem to be pushing the prayer, God, Bible thing around. And while in all honesty, that is a harmless thing... it still seems to disregard others' beliefs and individual values... you know?

I see your point...while I think the US is getting "too PC" with some things, I can see how religion is getting forced into some situations. Where I live, it seems like we currently have a contest going on about which religion/denomination can build the tallest church with the tallest steeple. We had one church design their steeple so that it's the tallest thing in the city...then a neighborhood filed a lawsuit because you can see the steeple from their yards. Another really LARGE church is building a new building on the west side of the city (where the urban sprawl is happening, but there are some good points about them changing location...) and that neighborhood tried to sue because it was going to cause a traffic problem. Um, only on Sunday, most likely. GOOD GRACIOUS PEOPLE......aren't there more important things to worry about than a dang steeple? That church will rethink the "tallest steeple" desire as soon as the next tornado rolls through. ( I do live in Arkansas, after all!)

Anyway, sometimes I think people get a little too uptight about who is what religion and why. Kinda like I said earlier, what I believe is between me and whatever/whomever my higher power is...same for you. If I want to change my mind, I will. I'm not that easily offended because you worship a statue....your choice. How does that directly affect my life? It most likely doesn't (unless the statue is in my front yard...)

(I'm hoping this made sense, cause it's late! )

[bluz4]

psych, you totally made sense. but now i'm reading other people's posts and i'm feeling out of the loop. so OP's forum was meant as a personal attack on a GC member that asked people to pray for him or her??? i thought the subject was a general vent, not anything personal. i think i missed the boat with you, 33girl!