Feel free to disagree, I'm not saying I'm right, but there's this thing about prayer that doesn't seem right to me. Ok, I know a lot of people with religious beliefs don't judge people, yet they pray for them for guidance. Isn't that presuming that what the person has done is wrong? Isn't it essentially JUDGING that person by thinking they need guidance, by thinking that they need to change their ways? I'm not talking about people like rapists who clearly are wrong and do need help - I'm talking about things such as sexual orientation, people of other faiths, etc. - stuff that people claim they do not judge yet still pray to help make this person change their ways. It seems to me like they feel superior.
When answering though please don't tell me to convert to a certain set of beliefs. I just want a straight answer.
2006-09-04 08:15:30 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Hmm I think some people are misunderstanding the question...I didn't mean prayer for loved ones, suffering, etc. I meant those that aim to change people's ways.
2006-09-04 08:37:42 · update #1
Marvelous question and important. Prayer can be a tremendous blessing or a wretched curse. It is easy to try to manipulate God or others to our preconceived position using "prayer."
I'm a pastor who has given up on prayer. By that I mean praying to straighten out what I think may be an issue. I've moved to Jesus' Lord's Prayer: Your will be done. Your Kingdom comes. It is handy and takes a real load off of figuring out what to pray. It also frees us from the guilt/fear/anger of what others tell us they are praying for us.
2006-09-04 08:37:15 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact is that most people with a religion (and even those without) feel that they are happier with that religion, and want others to experience that as well. Some, like christians (that's me) believe that those who don't follow their God will end up in hell at the end of their lives, regardless of how nice they were in life, and we don't want anyone to go there if we can help it. Other religions believe (I think) that it's an offense to their God to have heathens (per say) in the world, so they try to convert them all -- by the sword, if necessairy.
Sometimes, too, you may pray for a leader (i.e. the President) to make the best choice in a matter.
2006-09-04 15:50:02 · answer #2 · answered by Breezy-E 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When I pray for my friends, family, etc I feel as if I am asking God to look out for them and help them with whatever they are going through. For instance, when someone is suffering from an illness or going through some drama in their personal life. I am not judging, just asking for guidance for myself and help for others. I also ask God to get me through the day and grant patience to my co-workers and family.
2006-09-04 15:19:07 · answer #3 · answered by bernie 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, because GOD's Will for the person is what is carried out, not ours. And our prayers aren't always answered for the person in the way we'd like them to be. Only GOD knows what that person really needs in regard to their situation.
It's only judgmental if a person prays in that manner-We have to pray for GOD's WILL to be done in their lives, not OURS !
2006-09-04 16:46:49 · answer #4 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I feel that when someone says they will pray for me that they are being judgmental about me. I personally think it is rude of them. They should only pray for people that ask to be prayed for and not use it as a condescending holier than thou I'm better than you attitude.
2006-09-04 15:45:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not know if 'pray' is the correct word for me, but when I make petitions on behalf of others, I do not ask for corrections to the way they think, believe, behave, etc. I petition for the same things that I petition for myself: guidance on my path and blessings, an it harm none.
I believe that when one prays from the standpoint that another needs correcting, that is perhaps judgemental. Each of us is on the path we have chosen, for the reasons that we have chosen it. /
2006-09-04 15:43:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you are right - it is exceedingly patronising to assume that another person needs praying for - it is insanely proud to assume you know anything
same with forgiveness - it is judging that the person needs forgiveness - and that you are in a position to forgive
people are allwhichways screwed in the head
a lot of people join religion because they want to say: i am right and you are wrong, so do exactly what i want - but they know they cant say this, so they say: god is right, god wants you to do this and this [and god happens to agree with me] - it fools a lot of people
2006-09-04 23:52:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We might be judging, not realizing our faults, but it's for others to be better there's nothing wrong with this. It's better to judge others by praying for them than judging them by critisizing and speaking negatively about them to others.
2006-09-04 15:44:18 · answer #8 · answered by leo_7_28 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
oh yeah!i think the same! like they feel that they are so innocent and have no sins and god loves them and the others are so bad, but they will pray and save them!i hate the attitude and i know exactly what you mean!
2006-09-04 15:39:14 · answer #9 · answered by powerpuffgirl_2332 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it's i how you do it...for example...i have seen "womens prayer group circles" that pray out loud for others problems and it's like a big gossip session with your eyes closed.
2006-09-04 15:22:25 · answer #10 · answered by psycho_mistress 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋