Sending the mojo

[Vanquisher]

For me, when someone is in a situation where they are asking for prayers, I hope it turns out and I want things to be better for them and wish that things work out the best way possible. Personally though, I believe that my positive thoughts do absolutely nothing to help. The only effect my thoughts would have is if I tell someone I am thinking about them and wishing them the best is that they know they have my love and caring behind them. That's about all I can offer. It really kind of bothers me when people ask me to pray for them or request prayers because it is projecting their beliefs on to me. I feel like if I were in a religion where I asked someone to make a voodoo doll for me or sacrifice a cat for me, it would really be offensive to most people, and it is kind of what it feels like on my end.

When someone offers to pray for me or send me positive thoughts, I appreciate that they care about me, but that's about as far as it goes. Honestly, I feel like things in my life and the things I see in other lives make it impossible to believe in any kind of supernatural being, energy, karma, mojo, juju, etc.

I do hate public prayer though. It is really uncomfortable and really bothers me. I really hate that everyone's first question when you move somewhere is "have you found a church yet?" I feel like I am constantly having religion shoved down my throat ALL THE TIME. My daughter came home from school (she is in Kindergarten) and asked if we could go to her friend Autumn's church. I feel like the constant force feeding and people's desire to have everyone believing what they do is a nightmare. It is akin to telemarketing. I hate terms like "Christian-like" because they imply that it is only good if you are Christian and others are immoral or otherwise lesser people. That's my tangent. Oh, and even "God bless you" when I sneeze bothers me a bit. I would rather people didn't say anything to me, and I sneeze a lot in public. I have a photosensitive sneeze reflex, and I seem to sneeze a lot.

[Meenah]

I like this thread, it has made me stop and think!!!!! I was raised Catholic, Catholic school for elementary school and again for Grad school. I'm perpetually confused!!!!!!

[Pollyanna]

I'll take it all, prayers, blessings, mojo, voodoo dolls, good thoughts, etc. I consider it all to be done in the name of love and kindness, how could anyone not be touched by the care of one person for another. Far be it from me to dictate how I expect someone to show their love for me.

[bokelley]

I am with Jenn and Luanne. I will take any and all good luck, prayers and vibes I can get!!

[poky]

I really hate that everyone's first question when you move somewhere is "have you found a church yet?"

I don't want to thread-jack, but this jumped out at me. I don't think I've ever been asked this question. Granted, I've only changed cities twice since college, but I've moved house 5 times. I wonder if it's a families-with-kids thing, or a location thing (the PNW is *not* heavily religious), or if I've just gotten lucky? Thinking about it, I realize now that I assume by default that people I meet *don't* go to church, unless they happen to mention it.

[Sheherezade]

I think it is both a family thing and a location thing, Sandy. We've been asked here many times (so that would suggest more of a family thing since you are in the same area) but we were never asked when living in downtown Eastern seaboard cities. So....maybe it is less common in urban neighborhoods than suburban ones - or maybe it is more prevalent when you have school age kids that will be in religious groups together? (There are so many youth church groups here and people seem to treat them the same way they treat soccer sign up in conversation. It's just something people "do". ) Anyway, that's my two cents on the hijack.

[Meenah]

I think it is regional. I have been asked in the South (I grew up in the South). Never here in the NE.

[McPants]

In Northern Ireland it would be regarded as incredibly inappropriate to ask anyone if they've found a church yet, given how dangerous the topic of religion can be. In Sweden it would never happen either but for completely different reasons.

I don't want to thread-jack, but this jumped out at me. I don't think I've ever been asked this question. Granted, I've only changed cities twice since college, but I've moved house 5 times. I wonder if it's a families-with-kids thing, or a location thing (the PNW is *not* heavily religious), or if I've just gotten lucky? Thinking about it, I realize now that I assume by default that people I meet *don't* go to church, unless they happen to mention it.

I think it's regional (realizing that Angie is in the same general area as you are, but her specific area is ... it's own little world in many, many ways ... as she will say herself!) I have been asked that countless times here, starting with the woman who opened our bank accounts the week we moved in! My kids have been invited to "share" in the "joy" of vacation bible school with neighbor children, when the parents already know that our family is not religious at all.

As to the original question - I don't get offended when people say they're praying for me. One neighbor made it a point to tell me her son included us in his prayers every night. I see any prayer as a loving thought put to the universe, and IMO we can all use more of that. I once asked my Mormon friend why she hadn't even tried to convert me to her church (since the Mormon church is big on spreading the word), and she said she knew I wouldn't join, but as they also believe they can save souls after someone dies, she just planned to do that with me. When I repeated the story to other friends, some would ask why I wasn't offended. I simply answered that I knew it meant she loved me, and even better, if she happens to be "right" then I'm all set!

To dovetail on Heidi's idea of Christianity being shoved down her throat - while I don't feel the same, per se, I do have some qualms with some phrases that often circulate among very religious Christians (not necessarily here, just in general). It always irks me to hear things like "I wish everyone knew the joy/peace of living a life through Jesus Christ." It infers that those who don't are somehow less than. I don't hear that type of thing from people of the Jewish faith, Muslims, Hindus - anyone else! I am comfortable with my belief system, but wouldn't presume to project it on to anyone else, and THAT is what sends me off the rails.

I will say I don't understand the concept of praying for random people with whom you've got no connection at all. I'm more than happy to send good vibes for any of you -- as in my weird little world, we're connected. It's the 'pray for random Steve and Sue' that confuses me, and as we seem to have an ever growing list of prayer requests, I even thought of suggesting a "Prayer Request" forum.

[DCJenn]

I don't have any problem with prayer requests, generally. As long as those making the request understand that everyone here comes from very distinct and varied backgrounds- so that specific request means very different things to each of us.

Now, the religion in general topic- I don't get a whole lot of that in my self-selected incredibly funky 'hood. We have neighbors who attend their specific services every Sunday and we have neighbors who don't. My next door neighbors were married at the Cathedral downtown- (great until the homeless drunk guy starting crawling down the aisle on his knees just as they were about to take their vows. Butr he was redirected and they never knew.)

I don't like the "under God" part of the Pledge because my first thought is always "which God, Whose god and what if you believe in more than one OR none at all." I think it's incredibly exclusionary to presume that we're all talking about the same Diety. I think if you want your kid to have religious education, then you send your child to a religious school (a la Tara) or home school (a la Rapunzel and v-girl). I did not enjoy the fact that my kid was asked to participate in Las Posadas at his PUBLIC elementary school (the procession where Mary and Joseph look for a place to have Baby Jesus.) and I didn't appreciate him telling me that the confetti in the Cascarones were wishes from God. It is hard to separate the cultural aspects of San Antonio life from the religious aspects of San Antonio life because here, they're often one and the same. We have five Missions right here in downtown SA after all.

But back to my original question- I'll send out my "peace be with you" and you can send out your "Peace be with you."

Jenn

[medpedspouse]

Namaste.

I believe in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. With that said, it is none of my business what someone else's relationship with God is or is not. I will offer prayer to anyone, assuming that if they know that my prayers are to the one true God. Again, it is none of my business where someone is in their spiritual journey. I like being able to pray for my friends and those in need. Prayer is powerful. I do not like it when someone that I know is an unbeliever tells me that they'll pray for me. I keep it to myself, however, I know in my heart that this person is either just saying it, or will be praying to a false God.

I believe in Jesus Christ as the only way to salvation. With that said, it is none of my business what someone else's relationship with God is or is not. I will offer prayer to anyone, assuming that if they know that my prayers are to the one true God. Again, it is none of my business where someone is in their spiritual journey. I like being able to pray for my friends and those in need. Prayer is powerful. I do not like it when someone that I know is an unbeliever tells me that they'll pray for me. I keep it to myself, however, I know in my heart that this person is either just saying it, or will be praying to a false God.

So here you're saying that while it's none of your business, anyone who does not believe as you do IS praying to a "false God", and you, and others who believe in Jesus are the only ones praying to the REAL God. By that statement, you don't like it if Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists (I could go on) offer to pray for you, nor do you appreciate or accept anyone's wishes of "mojo" or "good feelings" or "love".

Or do I misunderstand?

[peggyfromwastate]

There is a book called the Shack- it was a top seller last year I think. Anyway, the book is from a Christian perspective but treats the different religions really with a lot of respect, including the question of if God "hears" the prayers of unbelievers. What I got from that book was that He does, and He loves everyone equally and desires for everyone to love him back...

This is just a book, but it was good food for thought for me personally. It definitely helps see other points of view.

For me personally, I am a Christian and I believe in the power of prayer. But I really think it's important to me to have "good vibes" or "good mojo" sent my way. And I think God knows these good thoughts, even though they aren't directed at Him. I believe He's omniscient, after all. I don't think he says "DCJenn doesn't believe in me and so I don't accept her thoughts of good mojo." More likely to me, in my point of view, he'd say "OOOHHH I LOVE DCJenn-- she has such a heart for the lost and needy people of this world. She is such a caring and wonderful mother to her child. She is such a blessing to her neighborhood. She sends good Mojo down on her friend-- Excellent!"

That's just me...

Now I'll stay the hell away from this thread for about 2 months until I have the courage to check it and see if I've been slammed. I'm that fragile... Hahaha.. Sort of just kidding. BUT it is the debate forum, so if you put it out there...

[Pollyanna]

I don't think he says "DCJenn doesn't believe in me and so I don't accept her thoughts of good mojo." More likely to me, in my point of view, he'd say "OOOHHH I LOVE DCJenn-- she has such a heart for the lost and needy people of this world. She is such a caring and wonderful mother to her child. She is such a blessing to her neighborhood. She sends good Mojo down on her friend-- Excellent!"

Exactly!!! God is all loving, all knowing, all seeing and I believe wants the best for us.