Ok. I was raised as a southern Baptist, born again and all that at the ripe old age of nine. Been backsliding ever since.
Fast-forward to the Schiavo Circus. What was all that praying about? That she'd miraculously recover? That "man" would be inspired by divine intervention to do the right thing?
And now that she's dead, even more praying! According to Baptists, she's either in heaven or hell by now. Black or white. No nuance. No second chances. So why all the prayers? To cast out evil judges? To ease the pain of her predatory parents? To condemn her evil husband to fire and brimstone? WHAT IS THE FUCKING POINT?
Enter the Pope. So much praying? For what? He's going to die. Very soon. Are they praying to keep him alive in a PSV? Are they praying for him to get into heaven? Are they praying for the next Pope already? Are they praying so the person next to them will think they're good Christians? Are they praying for forgiveness for themselves? If so, what's the point of milling around St. Peter's Square?
Jump to Jesus on the flip
Here's what the son of God had to say about it:
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret. Matthew 6: 5-6.
Like I said, I'm a backsliding Baptist, but I gotta tell you. I'm sick to death of all this self-righteous public praying.
Makes me want to be an atheist.