I don't know if your subject line is a purposeful satire on how pervasive religion is in our society and culture, or an unwitting testament to it, but either way, coming from an atheist, it's somewhat entertaining.
Or maybe it's something completely different.
Me said:
Is praying religious?
Khalid said:
Colin,
I don't know if your comment is one that is meant to throw light on how overly sensitizing atheism is on our society and culture, but if it is, coming from a devout muslim, it's kinda funny.
Okay, Im joking. My comment isn't even a satire. I actually agree with you that words and phrases like "pray" and "bless you" are probably thrown around more than they should be, especially when people don't realize their literal meaning.
But I wouldn't say that they are pervading. Its because most people don't know what they are saying (and I don't like writing this because I am one of those people) that religion isn't deeply rooted in our society, or at least as much as you make it out to be.
Khalid said:
Its funny because Im not sure Adam expected such a response from such a seemingly mundane post.
I actually had something to say in response to "Me" but it was a moot point, not to say it wasnt relevant, just that starting a discussion about it would be stupid. Then again, if Me is who I think he/she is, they might have an appreciation for that kind of discussion.
Me said:
I don't think praying is religious. For that matter, I don't think worship is either. Or blessed.
Me said:
2-5 inches of what? Fog? Rain? Flooding?
Colin said:
Khalid, I must say that living in Oregon, the least-churched state of the nation, and in Portland, epitome of all things left-wing, our perception of how pervading religion is in society is extremely skewed. Out in the Bible Belt, or even in Hillsboro, you'll find the influence of religion is much, much greater.
I will agree that most people either don't know what they're saying or don't really care when making comments like "Bless you" or "Pray for snow." However, Adam, because he's, well, Adam, is (probably) quite aware of each of his statements, and would (probably) not let the subject line of one of his blogs merely slip by him.
And Ted, I'm not really sure if praying is by defintion religious. In examples where it's specifically directed at a tangible person or entity, then obvioiusly not. But when one prays for snow, there's no tangible entity that one can pray towards, other than possibly weather patterns. So I'd say it's probably at least spiritual, in that it sort of acknowledges a power to which we can pray. But I'm not really sure about that. But at least by connotation, not definition, praying is indeed religious.
Me said:
I'm me. That way, when I look at my name, I see that it's me. Ingenious, eh?
I believe that the substance of the 2-5 inches is implied from the subject line.
And Khalid, for your info, "Me" is Ted.
Adam Anderson said:
Well, this certainly is a provocative thread. I had no idea. I will say that my intention was the following: that I did not wish to use the word "pray" to directly refer to religion or spirituality in general. Rather I intended the suggested act of praying to be taken in the context of being an act of hopefulness. While not physically related to the actual outcome of snow or not, the act of hoping is one that typically provides comfort for an individual desiring a certain outcome. In fact, it seems that the mere act of hoping is actually a form of subtle belief that the desired outcome is actually inevitable, and will happen. By hoping and having this belief, a person achieves greater happiness because the desired outcome becomes--at least temporarily in the person's mind--a given, and there is less anxiety and fear that the desired outcome will not occur.
Granted, the original use of the word "pray" is clearly derived from religion, but it serves a purpose completely analogous to the meaning I intended in my secular use of the word. The psychological purpose of a prayer (ignoring the existence or nonexisteance of God for a moment) is to provide comfort for an individual that the event or outcome for which they are praying will actually happen. After all, if God wills it, then it must happen. Thus, a sense of security is derived in knowing that the desired outcome will result.
Ahhh, yes. Those were perhaps the most verbose and convoluted two paragraphs I have written in years.
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This page contains a single entry by Adam Anderson published on November 30, 2005 8:51 PM.
I don't know if your subject line is a purposeful satire on how pervasive religion is in our society and culture, or an unwitting testament to it, but either way, coming from an atheist, it's somewhat entertaining.
Or maybe it's something completely different.
Is praying religious?
Colin,
I don't know if your comment is one that is meant to throw light on how overly sensitizing atheism is on our society and culture, but if it is, coming from a devout muslim, it's kinda funny.
Okay, Im joking. My comment isn't even a satire. I actually agree with you that words and phrases like "pray" and "bless you" are probably thrown around more than they should be, especially when people don't realize their literal meaning.
But I wouldn't say that they are pervading. Its because most people don't know what they are saying (and I don't like writing this because I am one of those people) that religion isn't deeply rooted in our society, or at least as much as you make it out to be.
Its funny because Im not sure Adam expected such a response from such a seemingly mundane post.
I actually had something to say in response to "Me" but it was a moot point, not to say it wasnt relevant, just that starting a discussion about it would be stupid. Then again, if Me is who I think he/she is, they might have an appreciation for that kind of discussion.
I don't think praying is religious. For that matter, I don't think worship is either. Or blessed.
2-5 inches of what? Fog? Rain? Flooding?
Khalid, I must say that living in Oregon, the least-churched state of the nation, and in Portland, epitome of all things left-wing, our perception of how pervading religion is in society is extremely skewed. Out in the Bible Belt, or even in Hillsboro, you'll find the influence of religion is much, much greater.
I will agree that most people either don't know what they're saying or don't really care when making comments like "Bless you" or "Pray for snow." However, Adam, because he's, well, Adam, is (probably) quite aware of each of his statements, and would (probably) not let the subject line of one of his blogs merely slip by him.
And Ted, I'm not really sure if praying is by defintion religious. In examples where it's specifically directed at a tangible person or entity, then obvioiusly not. But when one prays for snow, there's no tangible entity that one can pray towards, other than possibly weather patterns. So I'd say it's probably at least spiritual, in that it sort of acknowledges a power to which we can pray. But I'm not really sure about that. But at least by connotation, not definition, praying is indeed religious.
I'm me. That way, when I look at my name, I see that it's me. Ingenious, eh?
I believe that the substance of the 2-5 inches is implied from the subject line.
And Khalid, for your info, "Me" is Ted.
Well, this certainly is a provocative thread. I had no idea. I will say that my intention was the following: that I did not wish to use the word "pray" to directly refer to religion or spirituality in general. Rather I intended the suggested act of praying to be taken in the context of being an act of hopefulness. While not physically related to the actual outcome of snow or not, the act of hoping is one that typically provides comfort for an individual desiring a certain outcome. In fact, it seems that the mere act of hoping is actually a form of subtle belief that the desired outcome is actually inevitable, and will happen. By hoping and having this belief, a person achieves greater happiness because the desired outcome becomes--at least temporarily in the person's mind--a given, and there is less anxiety and fear that the desired outcome will not occur.
Granted, the original use of the word "pray" is clearly derived from religion, but it serves a purpose completely analogous to the meaning I intended in my secular use of the word. The psychological purpose of a prayer (ignoring the existence or nonexisteance of God for a moment) is to provide comfort for an individual that the event or outcome for which they are praying will actually happen. After all, if God wills it, then it must happen. Thus, a sense of security is derived in knowing that the desired outcome will result.
Ahhh, yes. Those were perhaps the most verbose and convoluted two paragraphs I have written in years.