Obama Asks Buddhist Monk for Prayer on Budget Deal

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by Zguy28

Well at least you know this makes it unlikely he's a Muslim. If he was, he certainly wouldn't be asking a Buddhist for prayer.

and then, on the other hand:
Well at least you know this makes it unlikely he's a Christian. If he was, he certainly wouldn't be asking a Buddhist for prayer.
:fixed:

[Zguy28]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

and then, on the other hand:
Well at least you know this makes it unlikely he's a Christian. If he was, he certainly wouldn't be asking a Buddhist for prayer.
:fixed:

Very true. I was reading a blog the other day that talked about President Obama's "progressive Christianity" as they put it. Parts I understood where he may be coming from, from a Christian point of view, such as universal healthcare (despite me disagreeing with the method to accomplish it). Others I instantly recognized as coming straight from the heresy of Jeremiah Wright and Black Liberation and Social Justice Theology. And still others such as supporting infanticide/abortion boggle the mind how he can reconcile it if he were actually a Christian as he claims.

[cheezgrits]

So if something happens to you and people say "Thoughts and prayers headed your way", you mean to tell me some of you would be particular because of who they prayed to, despite the good intentions of the person offering the prayer?

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

So if something happens to you and people say "Thoughts and prayers headed your way", you mean to tell me some of you would be particular because of who they prayed to, despite the good intentions of the person offering the prayer?

Hi cheezgrits.

Yes, one should actually be particular in which "deity" is being invoked when someone says they are "praying for you".

Here are a couple thoughts:

1.) The truth is that people, out of their seeming good intentions as well as good-hearted kindness and concern for others will gladly wish the best for someone else. Kind of like saying "Good morning, how are you doing?" However, do most people really want to know how someone is doing and are they prepared to stop and take ten minutes to a few hours to listen to another persons situation, needs and concerns? Thus, the expression of "thoughts and prayers" can truly be a sincere one or one said just in passing with no real intent to do some intense praying for another individual.
It is easy through human nature to say "thoughts and prayers headed you way" but the question is are they really? Is that person really going to take the time to specifically say a prayer for your situation?

2.) As you know, there are numerous religions and spiritual beliefs that invoke their own deity (or deities) in prayer yet they are still completely different from one another. Thus, if you truly believe that the Great Spirit is of a specific supernatural nature and have placed your complete faith in the Spirit/Creator, then you can understand that someone invoking prayers for you through a different deity would indicate that you either believe in multiple gods/creators rather than just One Great Spirit/Creator or you believe that only your specific deity is the one who should be addressed when it comes to seeking help through that specific prayer for you.

The question is whether those praying for you are praying to the True Great Spirit/Creator who has the Power to heal or to a false deity that can do nothing and whose power is nothing compared to the True Creator God of mankind.

Either way, if there is Only One Great Spirit/Creator, then that is the One where prayers need to be directed toward and that Creator is the Only one who has the power to answer prayer that will address the particular situation.

[PsyOps (Premo)]

Originally Posted by Zguy28

Well at least you know this makes it unlikely he's a Muslim. If he was, he certainly wouldn't be asking a Buddhist for prayer.

It appears he belongs to the church of JPC where he's every religion.

[cheezgrits]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

Hi cheezgrits.

Yes, one should actually be particular in which "deity" is being invoked when someone says they are "praying for you".

Here are a couple thoughts:

1.) The truth is that people, out of their seeming good intentions as well as good-hearted kindness and concern for others will gladly wish the best for someone else. Kind of like saying "Good morning, how are you doing?" However, do most people really want to know how someone is doing and are they prepared to stop and take ten minutes to a few hours to listen to another persons situation, needs and concerns? Thus, the expression of "thoughts and prayers" can truly be a sincere one or one said just in passing with no real intent to do some intense praying for another individual.
It is easy through human nature to say "thoughts and prayers headed you way" but the question is are they really? Is that person really going to take the time to specifically say a prayer for your situation?

2.) As you know, there are numerous religions and spiritual beliefs that invoke their own deity (or deities) in prayer yet they are still completely different from one another. Thus, if you truly believe that the Great Spirit is of a specific supernatural nature and have placed your complete faith in the Spirit/Creator, then you can understand that someone invoking prayers for you through a different deity would indicate that you either believe in multiple gods/creators rather than just One Great Spirit/Creator or you believe that only your specific deity is the one who should be addressed when it comes to seeking help through that specific prayer for you.

The question is whether those praying for you are praying to the True Great Spirit/Creator who has the Power to heal or to a false deity that can do nothing and whose power is nothing compared to the True Creator God of mankind.

Either way, if there is Only One Great Spirit/Creator, then that is the One where prayers need to be directed toward and that Creator is the Only one who has the power to answer prayer that will address the particular situation.

Points well taken. True enough about the sincerity of blessings and prayers.

For me personally, I take it at face value and appreciate the sentiment. If you were to pray for me, I'd appreciate it the same as a Muslim praying to Allah for me. Because they may believe as hard in their God as you do yours as I do mine. For all we know, it's the same God.

[Starman3000m]

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

Points well taken. True enough about the sincerity of blessings and prayers.

For me personally, I take it at face value and appreciate the sentiment. If you were to pray for me, I'd appreciate it the same as a Muslim praying to Allah for me. Because they may believe as hard in their God as you do yours as I do mine. For all we know, it's the same God.

Except that the Islamic Allah had no "son" and requires Muslims to engage in ritual sacrificing/blood letting for atoning of their sins. The Islamic Allah guarantees immediate entrance into "paradise" for suicide bombers that die in the process of being a "martyr" for Islam. The Islamic Allah then grants the "righteous Muslim" a bevy of wide-eyed virgins for pleasure in the Islamic paradise. That is definitely NOT the same God that Jesus spoke of.

Here is what the Muslims believe will be their reward:

Our Prophet has informed us our Lord's Message that whoever of us is martyred, will go to Paradise. (Sahih Bukhari: Volume 9, Book 93, Number 621)

"As to the Righteous (they will be) in a position of Security, Among Gardens and Springs; Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other;
So; and We shall join them to fair women with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes."
(Qur'an." 044.051 - 044.054)

"Verily for the Righteous there will be a fulfillment of (the heart's) desires;
Gardens enclosed, and grapevines; And voluptuous women of equal age;"
(Qur'an: 078.031 - 078.033)

"We have created (their Companions) of special creation. Lo! We have created them a (new) creation Surely We have made them to grow into a (new) growth, And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled),
(Qur'an: 056.035 - 056.036)

"For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade: They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!" (The Qur'an: 018.031)

"But the sincere (and devoted) Servants of Allah, For them is a Sustenance determined, Fruits (Delights); and they (shall enjoy) honour and dignity, In Gardens of Felicity, Facing each other on Thrones (of Dignity):, Round will be passed to them a Cup from a clear-flowing fountain, Crystal-white, of a taste delicious to those who drink (thereof), free from headiness; nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom., And besides them will be chaste women, restraining their glances, with big eyes (of wonder and beauty). As if they were (delicate) eggs closely guarded. (The Qur'an: 37.040 - 37.049)

Also, reference;

"We have created (their Companions) of special creation. And made them virgin - pure (and undefiled), Beloved (by nature), equal in age," (The Qur'an: 056.035 - 056.037 )

"The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said: ' If anyone suppresses anger when he is in a position to give vent to it, Allah, the Exalted, will call him on the Day of Resurrection over the heads of all creatures, and ask him to choose any of the bright and large eyed maidens he wishes.'"
(Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 41, Number 4759)

That's what Muslims believe about Allah.

Allah is NOT The God of The Holy Bible.

[cheezgrits]

Originally Posted by Starman3000m

Allah is NOT The God of The Holy Bible.

OK, so say you. Could be their interpretation of God is wrong. Could be yours is. Could be mine is. Your beliefs serve you well and comfort you. I'm glad it does. You make your points in a very engaging conversational style. I appreciate your viewpoints, certainly does give me something to think about and to balance against other things I read and think. Thank you.

[baydoll]

Originally Posted by cheezgrits

OK, so say you. Could be their interpretation of God is wrong. Could be yours is. Could be mine is. Your beliefs serve you well and comfort you. I'm glad it does. You make your points in a very engaging conversational style. I appreciate your viewpoints, certainly does give me something to think about and to balance against other things I read and think. Thank you.

Interpretations has nothing to do with it, cheezgrits, sorry. Muslims believe and teach that Allah doesn't have a Son; Christians on the other hand, believe and teach that God DOES have a Son and His Name is Jesus Christ.

Two entirely different beings.

[cheezgrits]

Originally Posted by baydoll

Interpretations has nothing to do with it, cheezgrits, sorry. Muslims believe and teach that Allah doesn't have a Son; Christians on the other hand, believe and teach that God DOES have a Son and His Name is Jesus Christ.

Two entirely different beings.

OK, I can go with that. Still doesn't make one right or wrong. Just makes it different.