"And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to praying standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they should be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thy hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." MATTHEW 6: 5-6. (So much for prayer in the public schools, LOL)
2006-09-12 12:30:28 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Well done, Larry!
I'm having a hard time envisioning a public prayer setting that *isn't* a big dog and pony show. Maybe at one of those nice 9/11 memorials where all the politicians bow their head in search of your votes?
2006-09-12 12:40:16 · answer #1 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Old Testament is the religious history of the Jewish people as it was understood in about 600 BC. The New Testament is the religious history of the first years of Christianity, as it was understood from about 60 AD to the collection into the Canon in about 400 AD.
You seem troubled that Christians pick and choose which rules to follow. Yep! That is so.
Otherwise, I'd have to kill my neighbor because he BBQs on Saturday and on Sunday.
2006-09-12 19:57:57 · answer #2 · answered by Prof. Cochise 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Seriously, when I see them do that...It is as annoying as fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
Funny story...the other day my husband, Buddy, was at work in a hospital. A group of people were gathered around his patient to pray, but Buddy needed to draw emergency blood work. He asked nicely and was hushed by the group so they could continue their prayer.
Buddy walked into the middle of the group and said, "excuse me, this is a hospital, not a church and I ask that you please respect the doctor's wishes and let us draw the blood work now."
Buddy got the job done :)
2006-09-13 00:00:46 · answer #3 · answered by Denise W 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here is another example of how verses are taken out of context by those who do not know the Word and wouldn't know the Word if it crept up behind them and yelled BOO!!
This is talking about those who, for show, pray loudly and want people to think they are 'holy minded' and 'chosen'..."Enter into thy closet..." also can mean to pray silently to yourself while in public, without show, as in if you're in a public place, say a restaurant, and you want to say grace before you eat, you do it quietly so as not to draw attention...There is also nothing wrong with praying in public if it's sincere, say as in a Billy Graham crusade....Also, kids can pray in school if they want to...they just need to do quietly since the mindset for school prayer is not to allow it. My kids always did with my permission and with the protection of the Lord. So Neener to all those supposedly in power who don't like it.
2006-09-12 22:33:05 · answer #4 · answered by belle 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
"...that they should be seen of men." This is referring to people advertising how "holy" and "good" they are. One's beliefs aren't supposed to be professed just because it will make he or she look better. If they are, then yes, one would be a "gas bag." But God doesn't mean for Christians to necessarily pray in a real closet either. Free speech is a right for everyone, and if you're able to talk in public about your views, then everyone else should have the same freedom as well. This includes talking about God and saying a prayer to oneself, or with people who want to. So many people are quick to say Christians are hypocrites and close-minded, but by criticizing, stereotyping (trying to state that every Christian is a "gas bag," and trying to limit people's freedom, you are being just as hypocritical and close-minded.
2006-09-12 19:45:11 · answer #5 · answered by verony 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It's saying not to pray just for the purpose of showing off how pious you are.
2006-09-12 19:40:02 · answer #6 · answered by p2of9 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Once again, verses taken out of their full context. What this is talking about is the hypocrite pharasees who put on a big public display showing how devout and holy they are.
There is nothing that prohibits prayer in public, its just "How" its done and for what reason. When done properly and for true worship there is nothing wrong with it. To make a big "dog & pony" show out of it to just show off...No, don't do it.
When we go out to a restaurant I will say grace over our meal. Its done at every meal, regardless of what or where. It is however done very low keyed and quietly. I do not do it for attention and I don't think it is even noticed. I do it to thank God for the meal. This is what Jesus is talking about.
2006-09-12 19:33:24 · answer #7 · answered by Augustine 6 · 5⤊ 3⤋
I toltally agree w/ u, but, NOT ALL CHRISTIANS DO THAT!!!! I'm Catholic and i hate when ppl want 2 try 2 force their religion on you...
Catholics dont do that as much az protestants do. And the reason is bcuz we dont' have anything 2 prove.
However, I pray anywhere i want 2... just not bragging about it. And THAT is what you should really get from this scripture
2006-09-12 19:41:31 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
It's stupid. I agree. Don't pray in public. I can't argue since I share your point of view...although what would you do if I said bless you?
2006-09-12 19:32:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 3⤋
It's not so much actually following what the Bible says.
It's all about ensuring that their religion remains dominant over others.
2006-09-12 19:33:06 · answer #10 · answered by coragryph 7 · 6⤊ 4⤋