I have a question about conservatives

[LBJDemocrat]

On a certain right-wing message board that starts with an F, the users routinely write messages saying that they're praying for someone or other, usually someone recently deceased (currently Tony Snow) but often for people like Bush, who is not only still living but living really really well (materially speaking).

My question is: Why do they feel the need to announce to everyone when they're praying? Is it to show how decent they are? Have they not read Jesus's condemnation of this at the very beginning of the New Testament (Do not pray as the hypocrites pray - Matthew Chapter 6)?

[spoony]

1. Jesus sees through them just like we can

:)

[Warpy]

2. If they lived by the teachings of Jesus

they would be liberals and not posting on that site that most of us are too sensible to visit.

Face it, it's much easier for morons to groove on the myth than it is for them to read and try to live by the teachings of the man.

In addition, they have legions of preachers telling them that if they keep clapping their hands together and giving lip service to the myth, they will go to heaven when they die, no matter what total bastards they are here on earth. That's pretty seductive, you have to admit.

And that is why they announce their prayers for the world to see. A few of them might even pray them. Most don't.

[annabanana]

7. "Sin Saturday, Repent Sunday" Christians . . . .

. . . . every single week of their adult lives.

[DailyGrind51]

3. For them, "piety" and "patriotism" are all for show.

[mrcheerful]

4. IMHO conservatives say they pray for others is often an excuse

to make them feel better about themselves for being such nasty hateful hypocrites. They think by saying they pray for others will hide the fact that they care very little for their fellow man unless said person can do something for them or fatten their wallets. Basically I have yet to meet a conservative that wasn't a narrow minded, egotistical, self centered, prick. The word elitist comes to mind when I hear someone say they are conservative. Ever try talking to one? According to every conservative they worked hard for everything they have or done and they got no hand out from the government or anyone. Never mind facts that many came from the public school system, nor the fact many used government funding for higher education or the fact that many were welfare children in the 60's, 70's and 80's. The conservative mind set doesn't allow them to admit that everything they have came from the help of others. Also the fact that conservatives begrudge anyone who they think gets something they themselves are entitiled to. I have heard time after time how a conservative has gotten tax breaks which allows them to avoid a lot of taxes, then turn around and complain how "their" tax dollars were being wasted on the poor. If the conservative gets out of paying his/her share of taxes then what gives them a right to say a thing on what tax dollars are spent on? Oh btw, when a conservative fails or looses something you can count on them to blame someone for that failure because nothing is their fault.

[TexasObserver]

5. They engage in "show prayers"

Among modern right leaning Christians, making a big show of praying, imploring others to pray for Mr. XYZ, and talking about praying are major themes. You can't tell them that Jesus said not to do that. You can't tell them that Jesus said go into your closet and pray alone, or that he said don't stand up in public for all to see and pray.

Like much of modern religion, the show prayer is for show. It is intended to communicate the holiness of the person showing everyone how dedicated and faithful they are.

It's the reason they want prayer at all public events. It's not about the prayer, it's about the show of piety it's suppose to represent. We know they're not doing it because of anything Jesus said. Quite the opposite. They're doing exactly what Jesus chastised some Hebrews for doing.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

12. Yes, some of their prayers sound as if they're bringing God up to date

on recent important events in their lives:

"And Lord, we'd just like you to know that Tommy scored a touchdown in last night's football game, and we just like to ask you that you get him a football scholarship..."

[baldguy]

6. The first thing to understand is that they're not Christians.

Real Christians don't use political considerations to determine who to pray for. They would certainly pray for the President to be granted courage and wisdom - whether its Clinton or Bush or Obama. Instead these people pray for Republican success and Democratic failure.

The second thing to understand is that they're not conservatives. A conservative tends to want to keep things as they are, or return them to a previous state. Most of all they want America to prosper - no matter who's in power. These people pray to allow America to torture our POWs - something that's never been allowed. They pray for wholesale spying on the general public and for the current regime to be able to keep secrets from everybody - including those in the legislature charged with overseeing their activities. They may pray for the salvation of Tony Snow to alleviate the sorrow of his family, but at the same time they pray for the Clinton's (and other of their political enemies) to suffer eternal damnation and for their families to suffer greater sorrow.

And lastly understand that they pray publicly - in spite of Christs' admonition against doing so - because they are hypocrites. They have to pray publicly - for the "right" people & things, and against the "wrong" people & things - so they can display to their fellow travelers their loyalty to the cause. And also so they don't suffer the same fate themselves.

[KharmaTrain]

8. Remnids Me Of An Old Jewish Story...

A man has just died a horrible death...and accends to whereever you accend to...and there meets up with god. God says "what brings you here my son"...and the man starts to go into what a pious man he was...how he constantly prayed...and then went into a list of the things he prayed for. God stops him and says "so you're the SOB that keep bothereing me..."

[RB TexLa]

9. You see requests for prayers and good vibes here too. It provides a sense of community to know that

others are thinking of someone together.

[tanyev]

10. Funny thing is, the "Pray for President Bush" threads don't get many replies.

[Nay]

11. These show-off prayers have several purposes.

1. If they pray for you after you've told them they are full-of-shit conservative assholes, it's to show how "pious and forgiving" they are. Never mind that they'll rob you blind the minute everyone's back is turned.

2. Praying is the lazy and selfish person's way to feel they are doing something for others. Heaven forbid they actually get out there and do something constructive.

3. Praying shoves everyone's faces in their version of Christianity yet another time, in order to make the national atmosphere reflect this false and fascistic religion.