After Sept. 11th a co-worker arranged a prayer session in our department

[Catherine Vincent]

There was nothing wrong with that, mind you but I chose not to participate because I wanted to pray at my own time for the victims and survivors of that tragedy. It looks like Hurricane Katrina will be the killer of way more thousands of Americans than September 11th. That same co-worker didn't arrange for a prayer session...at least not yet. I know we were attacked by "terrorist" and the hurricane was a natural disaster, I suppose there is a difference to him but to me there were still victims and survivors of this. I am not accusing my co worker of anything but I just wonder why he didn't do the same for this tragedy. Maybe his director talked to him after the first one and told him it wasn't a good idea, I don't know. What do you guys think?

[stopbush]

1. As one who sees prayer as a useless act of self deception,

I'm happy for any situation where reality is allowed to intrude its head.

There are SO many more-constructive things to do to help the situation in NOLA that wasting time praying borders on self-aggrandizing elitism.

Maybe your co-worker realizes that such empty, feel-good gestures are out of place in light of such a catastrophe.

Sorry, but you asked what we thought.

[Catherine Vincent]

2. No need to apologize.

I just wanted to get everyone's thoughts about that. But I thought maybe my co-worker didn't want to arrange it again because he feels it affected mostly black people (although it didn't). I feel bad for thinking that. He is a religious person so I really don't think he felt it would be out of place.

[DanCa]

3. As a regular church goer i agree with you.

No one has the right to tell another person how to pray or not to. That's why I am against prayer in school, and in the pledge of alliegence.Well one of the many reason why I am against the pledge of alliegence and prayer. you did the right thing imo. Stop kicking yourself. huggles. Danny.

[Catherine Vincent]

4. Why do you suppose he didn't do that this time?

[DanCa]

5. Maybe because he see's it as a bush screw up or waitting for the gop to

start crowing victory? You got to remember these people are sheep they need to see the numbers to start swelling before they feel comfortable before they start to feel with pushing the Bush brand of christianity on us.

[Catherine Vincent]

6. Yeah, that could be it.

Thanks for your input.