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elinjo
Does it matter whether the prayer comes from a believer or a non-believer? Surely the 'God' in question will know if it is from a believer, and will be delighted if it is from a non believer - perhaps a convert to be?
posted by
johnmacnab
on July 7, 2009 at 5:54 AM
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Many forms of caring exist.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on July 6, 2009 at 8:15 PM
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Sending sincere thoughts that I hope will be beneficial to you and yours!
posted by
BrightIrish
on July 6, 2009 at 6:25 PM
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Profound thoughts and view ....Thanks for sharing .
posted by
afzal50
on July 6, 2009 at 5:57 PM
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Re:
Thanks Rockingrector for the comment. I have thought of wishes as being equivalent to prayers, but not thoughts. Following your line of argument re. awful and unkind thoughts; would that mean that the the devil is also within us?
posted by
elinjo
on July 6, 2009 at 12:59 PM
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Re: Elinjo
Nautikos, thanks for the comment; agreed it's the thought that counts.
Now I know what a 'shroom' is, now I appreciate Corbin's comment and have learnt a new word
.
posted by
elinjo
on July 6, 2009 at 12:55 PM
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Have you ever wondered - as I have - whether all thoughts are actually prayers? If God is within us and therefore part of us, how can we think without including God in our thoughts? Which is all very well until those awful, unkind thoughts begin.....
posted by
Rockingrector_retd
on July 6, 2009 at 12:37 PM
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...I only have this to say, ...
In life or death, festering wounds or healing, only one thing makes it ... and that is love. That is all I can say with my very limited understanding and my aquaintance with emotional as well as lonely physical pain.
posted by
Chilitree
on July 6, 2009 at 10:03 AM
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Elinjo
Being an agnostic/atheist myself (it depends on which of the possible definitions one wants to employ), I understand your position. I don't pray, but send sincere wishes, though I don't mind at all if people pray for me - it's the thought that counts!
And as to your question: 'shroom' is a colloquial abbreviation for mushroom. I guess Corbin playfully suggested only the ingestion of a particular type of hallucinogenic mushroom could make one engage in the kind of extended joke that doggie series represents...
posted by
Nautikos
on July 6, 2009 at 8:45 AM
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this is similar to another blog as to what extent would we help another blogger, we do what we can and what our hearts allows
posted by
Lanetay
on July 6, 2009 at 8:25 AM
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Re: Re: I understand this dilemma, share it when the time comes
Thanks also Vogue and Malcolm.
posted by
elinjo
on July 6, 2009 at 7:02 AM
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Re: I understand this dilemma, share it when the time comes
Yes, that at least is a comforting thought. We share a concept but have different ways of expressing it. Thanks Pat!
posted by
elinjo
on July 6, 2009 at 7:01 AM
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I totally agree with Pat B. That's exactly how I see it.
posted by
vogue
on July 6, 2009 at 6:06 AM
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You make a really good point here
I do think that caring comes in many guises
posted by
malcolm
on July 6, 2009 at 5:59 AM
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I understand this dilemma, share it when the time comes
that ordinarily calls for invoking the diety. It's my belief all things in the universe are one, at the atomic level, and our thoughts have power -- so maybe your request for others to pray for peace had some (however miniscule) impact. Could be wrong about this, but I think the word prayer is a kind of shorthand for believers, almost believers and the rest of us to communicate the will and desire to help and to heal.
posted by
Pat_B
on July 6, 2009 at 4:45 AM
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