Why do some Christians squeeze their eyes tightly shut when praying?

[Cyrano]

Let me state up front that I am a devout agnostic. Having said that, I'd also like to say that I'm not mocking anyone's beliefs.

I've seen Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, and other televangelist con artists doing their on-screen praying. And I've watched them squeeze there eyes so tightly shut that it seems painful. Are they amping up their prayer power to some deaf deity? Is it a demonstration (to the TV audience) of their "sincerity?"

In the case of Robertson, Falwell and their ilk, tight eye-squeezing strikes me as a component of their con game. (Squeeze harder. The rubes will never spot which shell the pea is under and they'll send a check.)

However, I've noticed that many sincere, true believers also squeeze their eyes tightly shut when praying. I hope it is not offensive to those who do so if I ask why?

[IsItJustMe]

1. It helps you concentrate when you shut your eyes. Many meditation

practices also encourage you to shut your eyes. It blocks off visual distractions. A nice quite place also helps.

[ret5hd]

4. not shutting their eyes...squeezing them like this:

[grytpype]

14. You have to strain real hard to get your thoughts up to Jesus.

He's way up in the sky and it's a long, long way up there man.

[sakabatou]

61. And then Jesus gets a good chuckle when they get a hernia...

Sorry, had to do it...

[Cyrano]

10. I understand that. And to repeat, I don't mean to be disrespectful of

true believers.

However, I'm not speaking about just closing your eyes. I'm talking about squeezing them so tightly that it seems abnormal, if not an expressions of pain.

[KittyWampus]

18. How many Christians besides Robertson have you seen do this?

cause your thread title implies that many do.

[ChickMagic]

29. A woman I used to work with

did the same thing. She would clamp her hands together,
squeeze her eyes shut really hard, and I assumed it was
a show for the heathens among us.
She seemed to be advertising her Christianity.

[WoodrowFan]

92. She seemed to be advertising her Christianity.

"She seemed to be advertising her Christianity."

I think that's it, it's as if they're saying "look at how HARD I'm praying."

[Cyrano]

31. Some. I don't know how many.

[Inland]

37. I think some traditions are more demonstrative than others.

Then again, Pat might be trying to shut out TV lighting.

[Crunchy Frog]

40. Being in a television studio helps with that as well.

At least that's what I'm led to understand.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Because they're hypocritical obnoxious shitbags more interested

in how they look to others than in actually being faithful. And as you say, the harder the squeezing, the more faithful they look, so more money will come pouring in. "Wow- look at him squint! He's really praying! I should send him some more money!"

I don't trust the squinters. And I say that as a trying-to-be-devout Christian. I think thre squinting is very fake, and just as obviously meant in a "LOOK AT ME!" kind of way as the loud praying the Pharisees did on the streets or the way some of the fasting Pharisees would try to make themselves look disheveled so it was obvious they were fasting. Both of which Jesus spoke out against.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. They confuse "Constipaton" with "Concentration".

[pauliedangerously]

My thoughts exactly.....nt

[eleny]

24. Ha!!!

[iamnoah_30]

5. My thoughts

Heres my piece on it Cyrano. I think it is a sign of sincerity like you said. A lot of Christians close their eyes when praying as just a thing they do. The Christian prayer usually consists of either the folding/joining of hands, bowing of the head, and closing of the eyes. I think the clowns on T.V. just do it to look like they're praying really hard, and by shutting their eyes tighter, they're praying "harder" which means their prayer is that much more meaningful. Just my thought.

[Dora]

17. Hi, iamnoah_30! Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[Xeric]

6. It's simple really

Because Heaven is so far away, you have to really concentrate to get your prayer there. There's also a lot of interference on the line. That's why sometimes God doesn't get the message and even does the opposite of what you ask for occasionally.
Eventually fiber optics lines will be laid and reception will be clearer. If you give more money to Pat and Jerry it will speed up the process.

[Jade Fox]

26. LOL!

Welcome to DU!

[Xeric]

45. Thanks, and also.....

Have you ever seen Pat do his "I think there's somebody named Laura or Larry in North Dakota or maybe South Dakota who has something wrong with their eyebrows or possibly colon cancer- that person is being healed" act?
I always wonder why God can't just tell Pat exactly who and what the problem is. That's why I figure there must be some kind of interference. I'm assuming it goes both ways. Since I can't seem to get through at all (I don't even get a busy signal), I guess some people have a better connection than others. Maybe some kind of supernatural broadband.

[GeorgeGist]

7. To prove that their faith is completely...

blind?

[Caoimhe]

8. No it isn't disrespectful to observe something like that

I think most Christians believe that you must close your eyes as a sign of your "seriousness" about what you are listening to or saying in prayer. Like blinders, it keeps you focused and your minds eye is supposed to visualize God/Jesus/the Spirit. As a kid I never closed my eyes when we were praying in church, and my mom smacked me more than once when she caught me. I always said "well your eyes were open or you wouldn't have seen mine were open too!" She felt it was a complete and total sign of disrespect. Near blasphemy. I attended my Grandmothers' funeral a few weeks ago and there was much prayer, and nearly everyone had their eyes closed, while the most evangelical relatives had theirs "PINCHED" shut, the rest just closed their eyes as if in meditation. Only three of us had our eyes wide open, me--- my dear husband and a cousin who is Buddhist.

[raccoon]

48. Reminds me of when I was a kid, a Sunday School teacher

was talking about praying when you were walking along, and I said, "How could you--you might run into something!"

[Dogmudgeon]

9. It makes trippy phosphenes

Phosphenes are the trippy, cool, multi-colored retinal discharges you can see by putting pressure on your eyeballs. They're crazy psychedelic. The Jeezers like to trip out.

Right?

--p!

[Klukie]

11. To keep themselves from checking out the hot broad three seats down.

[stepnw1f]

12. Taking a Shit

Kidding.... anyone squeezing their eyes shut like that is PRETENDING to pray.

[BlooInBloo]

13. Because they're praying SO HAAARRRDD!!

god just HAS to listen! He just HAS TO!!


:rofl:

[Caoimhe]

15. It does remind one of a toddler screaming for a sucker

doesn't it? The moment when they think if they just squeeze out a few more crocodile tears, mom might relent?

[BlooInBloo]

19. I think believers think that god works on the...

... "squeakiest wheel gets the grease" principle...

That's how a lot of em act, in any case...

On the other hand, who can really claim to understand the minds of believers? Not I.

[KittyWampus]

16. Because When You Are FAKING Prayer- Exaggeration Helps Get Your Act

across. Or at least that's what liars like Robertson and Falwell think.

Kind of like how transvestites use exaggerated female characteristics when dressing up.

[arwalden]

69. Damn!

:spray: :rofl: :thumbsup:

[ewoden]

20. They read that Thread on the telekinetic goat killers months back!!

[swimboy]

21. Because of the pretty colors!

See post No. 9

Actually, because they are putting on a show. Others follow their example because they think that's what works.

God can hear you when you have your eyes open, and that's good if you plan to pray and drive at the same time.

O8)

[Joanne98]

22. "The show must go on".

[tridim]

23. Gas?

[ChristianLibrul]

25. Squinting is theatrics

Televangeliars are actors. Their "process" includes all the things other actors use.

[kskiska]

27. I've wondered the same, especially with Preznit Junior

[Crunchy Frog]

41. In his case

I think it really was just about squeezing a big one out into his Depends.

[MsUnderstood]

28. I don't think they are squeezing tighttly

I think that they are expressing emotions with their eyes even when shut...for example when concerned they will lower their eyebrows. . .it is similar to what an actor will do to convey emotion.

These types of preachers put a lot of emotion into their discussions with jesus.

[Blutodog]

30. Shitting on the Constitution

It's because they're straining while shitting on the Constitution.

[Goblinmonger]

33. Thank you

that was funny. Still laughing.

Somebody has GOT to photoshop that. I suck at it or I would.

[Inland]

32. Too bad, really.

Half the replies take the question seriously, the other half sees an opportunity take a shit on it.

The answer is, of course, the same as the reason why Michael Jordan sticks out his tongue when getting air. True to the R&T section, to save time I'll supply both answers: because he's concentrating, and because he's trying to lick the coach's asshole.

[Evoman]

34. LOL

I know your trying to make a point, but man...that was freaking funny!

[Inland]

36. I"ve got my moments. Thanks for the word before deletion. nt

[PollyH]

35. Squeezed eyes

Because they know they should be praying in private. As for the
con-evangelists, keeping their eyes shut avoids letting the rest of us know they are lying (eyes-mirror-souls and all that).

[arwalden]

38. Robert Tilton Does That Too. (Have You Seen The Farting-Preacher Video?)

The one with clips featuring all of Robert Tilton's eye-squinting, shoulder-shrugging, head-jerking, face-making "ticks"... but with an added FARTING sound effect added for each one? It's hysterical!

[Crunchy Frog]

39. Isn't praying in that fashion biblically mandated?

You're supposed to show off the intensity of your piety when you pray. Isn't this what it says in the Bible?:

But when thou prayest, thou shalt do it in front of television cameras and millions of viewers, and your father in Heaven shall see it, for verily, He watcheth television too, and ostentation in prayer pleaseth him much. (Matt. 6.27)

[eppur_se_muova]

42. Wrong verse -- should be Book of Mammon. nt

[Zebedeo]

52. LOL

OK, I will admit I laughed out loud at that verse.

[simonm]

43. Did you know..

If you close off all senses such as touch and hearing long enough, hallucinations will start and eventually psychosis.

[believerinchrist]

44. I look up when I pray,often with my eyes wide open, or

I just to talk to God like He is standing in front of me. Prayer is just conversation; while I don't hear an audible voice in response, I do gain knowledge, understanding, and wisdom that help me with the problems I am facing.

I have no idea why some believers squeeze their eyes tight while praying, but to each his/her own.

[NMMNG]

46. You mean like when * looks as if he's taking a dump?

I don't know. :shrug:

[Dorian Gray]

47. I don't close my eyes...

when I pray, but I suspect it's so they aren't distracted by their surroundings.

When I meditate (in the Eastern Sense), I do shut my eyes. Prayer is a form of Christian meditation, so it makes sense. I do shut my eyes when I am doing the rosary, actually, which is a very meditative prayer.

When I do every day prayers, however, I do not shut my eyes.

[Igel]

50. That's the usual reason for the eye-shutting.

If you're just listening to a prayer it's hard enough to pay close attention. With your eyes open, it's harder.

The rest is concentration; the people whose brows furrow when they're deep in thought or concentration don't stop the furrowing when they're praying.

Can't rule out ostentation, though. There's enough of it in those people whose voices go all tremulous, making rhetorical rises, dips, and pauses--people whose lexicons suddenly sprout wings and take refuge in fallacious flights of flouncing oratory, with sentences so long, indeed, so riddled with rhetorical flourishes and even dwelling in spiritual and metaphysical convolutionari ... ties that while you thinkest the person declaming in pious platitudes, face contorted with angst and awareness of the beatificity of the divine presence and the insignificance of thou worm, Jacob, hath no idea as to how the sentence wast initiated, and how it shall, ultimately and God willing, conclude, or even if he, the prayer of the present moment engaged in deep thoughts and intonating into eternity, had actually began ... begun? ... the sentence, that you can't really be sure if you're still dwelling in the confines of the blessed sentence of faith and justice or if you've just become unanchored from the godly foundations necessarily and of necessity underlying the clausal constituent, if you've reached the tensed verb that is the mainstay of all righteous grammaticality, providing rection to the nouns deserving of inherent case, tolerating those of case quirkiness, and licensing--properly governed licensing, in the true spirit, not the false, lying,spirit, of course--of ... for? ... to! ... the traces of those prepositional phrases that have moved on to better positions, higher positions, positions of greater c-command, as the spirit wills and directs, or if there have been multiple tensed verbs and multiple subjects and, yea, verily objects in a sentence that's almost assuredly run on, having cast off the constraints which are proper to the godly and the fearing, those who, with perfect love which castest out all fear, having lapsed into the slough of despond and error and which, to all intentionality and purposehood, has throughly become adrift and afloat on the winds of change and the vissississitudinationalizationalities of passing sinful fancy.

And the OP wonders why they have the distressed looks on their faces.

[Cyrano]

51. Thanks, igil. In reading that paragraph, my head started to hurt, and

I ended up squeezing my eyes tightly shut in an effort to make the pain go away.

Now if we could just find a way to make Falwell, Robertson, and all the rest of these snake oil salesmen of their ilk go away. But somehow, I just don't think that's going to happen. There are far too many people who thrive on snake oil. Some even think it tastes like kool-aid.

[Igel]

53. Ah. You got it!

That was actually a mix of several of the men from the church I went to and, um, a bit o' Chomsky (the linguistic bits).

[Desertrose]

49. Who really cares....

and what difference does it make?


Seems there may be bigger things to concern ourselves with? :shrug:

[beam me up scottie]

54. YEAH!

Really, I mean it's not like it's important like these serious subjects:

Pluto Aligns With The Galactic Center

Saturn in Leo - the Lion in Winter - Myth transmits archetypal knowledge

New moon today...how 'bout the Novak & Santorum "meltdowns"

:rofl:

[Desertrose]

58. Evidently there is no point too small....

to stop BMUS from her mission to search out old posts and attempt to throw them back at someone. Since I've been here since day 1 it should keep you busy. Have fun wasting your time digging.

BTW- just exactly WHAT does your post have to do with either my post or the original post?
Yeah, thats what I thought. Not a damn thing.

As I said...before...who cares?
Well evidently certain atheists do if you judge by the response of three of you to my post.

Pathetic.

[Goblinmonger]

64. Since BMUS doesn't check in until evening

let me venture to guess that her post was a collection of posts/threads you have made which had NOTHING to do with your list of important things.

In case you still don't get it, she was pointing out your hypocrisy. And most likely your intent to just come in an piss on someone's thread for a reason that you don't believe is real (or you wouldn't post some of the "unimportant" things that you post).

[Desertrose]

80. Uhm...didn't you start a pledge?

and didn't you state this??

I, Goblinmonger, do solemnly swear to treat each person's beliefs or lack of beliefs with respect.

So I guess that doesn't include astrology? Clearly doesn't to BMUS. So why bother with the "pledge"?

well Goblinmonger, THAT is why I don't take your pledge...cause it is completely empty, total bs and no one follows it.
Actions speak louder than empty words. Where is that respect now?


Pledge? :rofl:


attitude edited

[Goblinmonger]

81. OK

first of all, if you have a problem with BMUS breaking the pledge, take it up with her.

As to my breaking the pledge, please tell me how I broke it? All I said is that you posted about things that are not on your list of things that are important. I don't even think your list is that good, but it is YOUR list. You posted about things not on that list. That is hypocrisy. (and, BTW, I thinkn that is what BMUS meant, as well, and not a slam on astrology).

I never questioned your beliefs, demeaned your beliefs in astrology, or anything close. I think you owe me an apology for insinuating otherwise.

on edit: my pledge does not mean that I have to buy into your beliefs, think your beliefs are REALLY true beyond your mind, or that I cannot challenge your beliefs if you make them public--not that I have overtly done any of those, though I don't buy into them.

[beam me up scottie]

85. So posting the subject lines of your threads=disrespect of religion?

What the hell are you talking about?

Your post makes absolutely no sense.:crazy:

[beam me up scottie]

84. Yes, thanks, you're absolutely right. Hypocrisy squared.

I really don't even have to make the point, she does it herself by claiming her threads are above reproach after being called out for ridiculing the op's choice of subjects.

op: "I have an odd but sincere question"

rosie: "Who really cares....
and what difference does it make?
Seems there may be bigger things to concern ourselves with?"

BMUS: "I will point out your hypocrisy by posting the subject lines of your threads to show that the op is not the only one not concerning themselves with bigger things."

rosie: "SCREECH !!!
HOW DARE YOU POST SUBJECT LINES FROM MY THREADS???
YOU HAVE BROKEN YOUR PLEDGE NOT TO DISRESPECT MY RELIGION BY POSTING THOSE!!!
POSTING THE TITLES IS ASTROLOGY BASHING !!!
SCREECH !!!
I WILL NOW PERSONALLY ATTACK AND INSULT BMUS!
I WILL NOW INSULT ALL ATHEISTS ON DU!
I WILL NOW WHINE THAT YOU ARE BEING DISRESPECTFUL OF MY RELIGION WHILE AT THE SAME TIME INSULTING AND ATTACKING YOU REPEATEDLY!
I WILL NOW LAUGH DERISIVELY AS IF I HAVE SCORED POINTS, HA HA HA HA !!!"

So I'm not as funny as evoman, but I couldn't help myself, it just looked like so much fun.

[beam me up scottie]

86. Got hypocrisy?

You ridiculed the op's choice of subjects.

I posted a small sample of your less-than-monumental choice of subjects.

Now you're pretending you don't have any idea what I'm getting at?

:rofl:


And why are you insulting atheists?

What does atheism have to do with it?

[arwalden]

55. Why Piss On This Thread, Desertrose?

<< Who really cares.... and what difference does it make?
Seems there may be bigger things to concern ourselves with? >>

Can you imagine how YOU would feel if someone popped on to one of YOUR threads and added a cheap-shot like the one you just added to THIS thread?

When other people post hit-n-run or drive-by posts like this, they seldom come back to respond. So... it's doubtful that you'll come back again. But still, I'll ask anyway: Why do you like to things like this, Desertrose?

After all... if, as you say, there are "bigger things to concern ourselves with", then why do you allow a thread like this one to TORMENT you to the point where you have do things like this?

[Desertrose]

57. Torment? Piss on?

I'd say you certainly have your knickers in a twist over this one small point....because I think it is very unimportant in the larger view of everything happening in this world, whether or not or even why, some people squeeze their eyes tightly shut when they pray, you see it as pissing on this thread? OMG. That is too funny.

Seriously A, I am not the one "tormented" here. I made a comment - shared my opinion... do I need the atheists approval to post in this forum now?

[arwalden]

60. Well, Desertrose...

<< I'd say you certainly have your knickers in a twist over this one small point....>>

It's only "small" when taken as an isolated incident. But it's very easy to see that your post is part of a larger overall pattern.


<< because I think it is very unimportant in the larger view of everything happening in this world, >>

Indeed there are many things happening in the world that are of greater social or political importance. Does that mean that everyone should stop LIVING and stop participating in OTHER things that interest them, simply because YOU deem such activities to be irrelevant?

Do you go around pissing on EVERY post that asks an idle question? Do you search for posts that don't meet your personal criteria for worthiness? You know... because they are "very unimportant in the larger view of everything happening in this world"?

So you're the judge of what's worthy and what's not? Where do you get off making such arbitrary judgments of other people's threads? Are you so perfect?

How about we examine how many of YOUR threads actually have anything to do with making the world a better place?

Should we get rid of the lounge? In the "larger view of everything happening in the world" it's also pretty unimportant too. Right?


<< whether or not or even why, some people squeeze their eyes tightly shut when they pray, you see it as pissing on this thread? >>

Who are you to judge? Do you seriously mean to sit there and suggest that every thread you've started addresses the "larger view of everything happening" when it comes to social or political issues?


<< OMG. That is too funny. >>

Funny? No, sorry... I think it's pretty damned sad.


<< Seriously A, I am not the one "tormented" here. >>

Well D, Your actions tell me otherwise. Your original ugly message and the anger you're expressing here certainly indicate that you're worked-up and tormented.


<< I made a comment - shared my opinion... >>

No. Your purpose was to ridicule and belittle someone's topic. You pissed on someone's thread, Desertrose... because YOU felt it was unworthy of being posted in the first place. Don't try to pretend as though it was just an innocent comment. You know exactly what you did, and so do I.


<< do I need the atheists approval to post in this forum now? >>

HUH?? What exactly do atheists have to do with anything? Who said anything about atheists? (Except you.) :shrug:

No, I don't think you need anyone's "approval" (atheist or not). HOWEVER, I do think it would help if you were to brush-up on your manners and common courtesy.

Come ON, Desertrose! It's not like you were in the middle of a heated back-and-forth flame-war argument and you accidentally let something slip out. No... you came right in, bladder full, and urinated all over this thread.

Nice. Really nice. :eyes:

[Desertrose]

63. Deja vu strikes again...

Where did I say ever say I am deciding what others can post? I shared my opinion...you sure are reading an awful lot into a short post...

Ludicrous...calling my post "ugly"? ..and "angry"? Gees. Ya know I 'd almost forgotten all the "fun "we have with these charming back & forth witticisms :sarcasm: (just to be clear for you)

I especially note the parts where you try to make the other poster ( me in this case) into some kind of angry, worked up tormented always pissing on and ridiculing hypocrite trying to control others.....and how you so enjoy picking every noun & verb apart and adding your own spin to it.

As I have said before- your choice of words clearly says much more about you than anyone else.

As far as atheists...well, I did have three immediately respond to my post. Going by that evidence- seems logical to assume they are the ones who most have a problem with me posting here.

Oh, "my" manners and common courtesy need brushing up on...too funny. :rofl:

Just FYI- you can pick this one apart but I've gone round this old circle as far as I plan to with you. Been there done that...no point.

Lighten up and have a nice day, A. :)

[arwalden]

66. Deja-Vu, Perhaps... But Not In A Good Way.

<< Where did I say ever say I am deciding what others can post? >>

That's a "strawman" argument... because you did NOT say that. You're making no such "decisions" on what others can post. And nobody accused you of that.

But what you ARE doing is making value judgments on whether or not someone's posts are worthy of being posted, or their questions are valid enough to be asked (in light of the "larger-view-of-everything-happening-in-this-world") and you are pissing on someone's thread as a result of that.


<< I shared my opinion...you sure are reading an awful lot into a short post... >>

You're oversimplifying... again. You did more than just "share an opinion". You were being rude.

Desertrose (1000+ posts) Tue Apr-04-06 01:45 PM
Response to Original message
49. Who really cares....

Edited on Tue Apr-04-06 01:46 PM by Desertrose
and what difference does it make?

Seems there may be bigger things to concern ourselves with? :shrug:

Hmmm... That sounds pretty rude to me!


<< Ludicrous...calling my post "ugly"? ..and "angry"? Gees. >>

You were being rude. I'm not surprised that you wouldn't see it that way.


<< Ya know I 'd almost forgotten all the "fun "we have with these charming back & forth witticisms (just to be clear for you)>>

What makes you think you're being witty? You were being rude.


<< I especially note the parts where you try to make the other poster ( me in this case) into some kind of angry, worked up tormented always pissing on and ridiculing hypocrite trying to control others >>

Actually, I can't take credit for that. You're doing a pretty good job of that all by yourself. :thumbsup:


<< .....and how you so enjoy picking every noun & verb apart and adding your own spin to it. >>

That's a bit hypocritical when you consider the big "splash" you made when you entered this thread.


<< As I have said before- your choice of words clearly says much more about you than anyone else. >>

:shrug: I'm not sure what you're referring to, but... this isn't about me... it's about your bad behavior. You were being rude.


<<As far as atheists...well, I did have three immediately respond to my post. >>

Yes, and? So? What does that have to do with anything? You were being rude and three atheists happened by and called you on it.


<< Going by that evidence- seems logical to assume they are the ones who most have a problem with me posting here. >>

So if you had received three responses from people that you knew for a fact were Black... would you have immediately assumed that only Blacks were taking issue with you?

You're never at fault, are you Desertrose? The blame goes to everyone except yourself, right? Always looking for the fault in someone ELSE, eh? (Some things never change.)


<< Oh, "my" manners and common courtesy need brushing up on...too funny. >>

Yes they do. You were being rude.

People don't like to be pissed on. Don't act so surprised when you get negative reactions. You're not the victim here... you're the aggressor.


<< Just FYI- you can pick this one apart but I've gone round this old circle as far as I plan to with you. Been there done that...no point. >>

Because you know you'll lose the argument. (FYI: I figured as much.)


<< Lighten up and have a nice day, A. >>

See ya!

[Desertrose]

70. What argument?

This is your soliloquy, A.

Nothing to win or lose here.

:-) DR

[arwalden]

73. You Are Arguing That You Did Nothing Wrong...

You are arguing from the position that you're simply misunderstood. You're accusing others of taking positions that they did not take. You're pretending to be a victim, when you're the aggressor. You were being rude.

<< This is your soliloquy, A. >>

As far as content is concerned, sometimes it feels that way. I see all the words you type, but they don't really say much.

<< Nothing to win or lose here. >>

Really? Sour-grapes, eh? That sounds like something that someone says when they know they've already lost.

And if you honestly felt that way, then why do you make such a big deal about saying "goodbye" and walking away, and then return again in less than an hour? (How do you expect anyone to take you seriously? I know that I have a hard time taking you seriously.)

Just FYI- you can pick this one apart but I've gone round this old circle as far as I plan to with you. Been there done that...no point.

Yet, surprise-surprise... here you are again. :eyes:

You know, when you do that... it certainly doesn't sound to me like the actions of someone who's as disinterested as you're pretending to be. You say one thing, and then do another thing to contradict yourself.

I'm looking forward to your next reply.

[beam me up scottie]

87. Nice.

I couldn't let a post like that go without an Attaboy!

Don't you love it when you don't even have to lift a finger?
They do it all by themselves...

[Goblinmonger]

56. It sounds like somebody

needs to take my pledge.

Or we could just give you this avatar:

[Desertrose]

59. Please.... what does your pledge have to do with my comment?

I thought this was a place to share opinions? I just feel this is very unimportant in the grand scheme of things....things like an illegal war killing our troops and innocent people, GLBT rights being taken away on a daily basis, hoodlums like this current administration getting away with bs....and on & on & on.

I take the following pledge to govern my posting in R/T. I encourage you to, as well.

I, Goblinmonger, do solemnly swear to treat each person's beliefs or lack of beliefs with respect. If someone tells me that they believes something or doesn't believe something, I will take them at their word and treat that as their belief or lack of belief system. I will not attempt to tell them that they actually do believe something different than what they have indicated.

Can you please tell me how your pledge relates in ANY way to my post? Clearly your taking the pledge doesn't stop you from sharing opinions, am I not allowed to do the same?

why so many jumping on one small post of relative little importance? Geez, if I didn't know better, I'd think you guys had it out for me. :evilgrin:

[Goblinmonger]

62. It is about respect

And you don't address the point that you would most likely shit bricks if somebody posted something like you did on one of your threads.

I am still tired of the fact that you and several other very vocal theists blame the atheists for all the evils in this forum and yet it is more often YOU that comes in pissing on threads.

Since this is the list of things you see as being important:

"things like an illegal war killing our troops and innocent people, GLBT rights being taken away on a daily basis, hoodlums like this current administration getting away with bs"

then I will expect that you will no longer post in R/T since nothing here has anything to do with what is really important. Don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya.

[Desertrose]

65. Dude...I am NOT a THEIST.

Have repeatedly said that. I AM NEITHER THEIST NOR ATHEIST.

...and really how can anyone judge the tone of anyone's post simply by typewritten words...without hearing a voice?

Sorry if this post bothers you ...doesn't seem to have bothered the OP....or at least he hasn't told me how I'm pissing on his thread ,blah blah blah.

No, I seriously doubt I'd shit bricks if someone posted that to me...I am not responsible for what others post- they can post whatever they want. My choice is to either disregard it or give it validity. I was only remarking that "it" ( the eyes closed thing) seems unimportant in the larger picture. More important is how these fundys are getting their agenda pushed in to politics- not how they close their eyes in prayer or whatever. Now to me, THAT is more important. Also not to get bogged down in details.

If its about respect as you say, then why not respect my right to post an opinion here? Does it only go one way?

I have NEVER said that nothing in this forum has any importance. Talk about putting words in my mouth...sheesh

Peace
DR

[Goblinmonger]

67. You can post

whatever the fuck you want. But don't think that means you are not going to be responded to by people who don't like it.

But please, explain to my how you can be neither theist nor atheist (unless you are agnostic, but you could have just come out and said that). I want to understand where you are coming from, because that statement makes no sense to me.


"I have NEVER said that nothing in this forum has any importance." Um, yes you did. You gave a list of things that the OP "pales in comparison to" and none of those are things that are dealt with in R/T. Therefore, nothing here is of real importance in the grand scheme of things. Your argument, not mine.

"Sorry if this post bothers you ...doesn't seem to have bothered the OP....or at least he hasn't told me how I'm pissing on his thread" I'm not going to speak for the OP, but do you understand how that sounds. Put it in this context. "Well, that jungle bunny never said he had a problem with me calling him a nigger, so what does it matter if it bothers you."

[Desertrose]

76. sigh

Why has this become such a big deal?

Why do you insist on making it one? Why are you saying things that are not there in my posts?

I am sorry if you choose to only see things as theist/atheist but there actually are other options. My concept of god/creator/spirit/nothingness/all things has evolved over my entire lifespan. It is more than just yes god/no god. I seriously doubt it could be summed up in a post here, even if I had the time. You want to know where I am coming from, yet our framework for viewing the world/universe is so different, even if I tell you, I doubt it would make you understand me any better. Also...I wonder if it would it be accepted with respect as per your pledge?

Please, I mean no offense whatsoever.

DR

[Goblinmonger]

78. Why is it a big deal?

History. You have come across as being very "anti-atheist" in the past. That colors anything I read from you. I sure you have similar lenses on.

I asked you to explain so that I could understand. That question comes right from the two pledges I have made. And I doubt that I would be unable to understand your framework. Don't think that my view of the world has not changed in 40 (ughh) years. You might be surprised as to my upbringing and views of the world over the years. I have come (gone?) a long way in my journey as well. Perhaps an explanation would help me to understand you more, though it probably isn't on point in this thread. Maybe that will be the next thread I start.

[Goblinmonger]

68. And BTW

it is nice to see that you actually read my thread. Why didn't you take the pledge if I may ask?

On edit: Or Catbert's pledge if you didn't like mine (or me). I really like to know why people didn't make the pledge.

[beam me up scottie]

88. "I" jumped on your post because it was rude, nasty and uncalled for.

I would have done the same no matter who posted it.

Get over yourself.

[thinkingwoman]

71. thank you for starting this thread

I laughed harder at the posts on this thread than any other R/T thread in a very long time.

Sincerely, thank you. I needed a good laugh today and thanks to your thread I got more than a few! :applause:

[Goblinmonger]

72. Have you seen the "farting preacher" videos

I can't give you the link here because of the internet filter at my school, but they are hilarious. If the british taught us anything, it's that nothing is funnier than a man in a dress--unless it's a fart.

[thinkingwoman]

74. No, I haven't!

Can you send the link later, when you're at your own puter? PM me if you want.

I do so love british humor, in or out of a dress.

[arwalden]

75. Farting Preacher Video Links...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=423412654049302774

Here's the "tinyurl" version of the above URL.

http://tinyurl.com/8befj

[thinkingwoman]

77. Ah, thank you arwalden

Going to watch now.

[Goblinmonger]

79. Thanks, man

I hate our filter that is mandated by the feds. I am working on a poem to get published about it. See what you think:

This is my letter to the President

thanking him for
saving me from myself

Left to my own devices
I would have read about
the following on the Internet
in a misguided attempt
to be a better English teacher:

Moby Dick
Outcasts of Poke Flat
Salem Witch Trials

Bless the NCLB filter
for saving me from these
Evils

and for saving my students
from the Evils of
www.godhatesshrimp.com
while allowing them to
experience the love
that emminates from
www.godhatesfags.com

Amen

[Name removed]

82. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[DanCa]

83. Serious answer ? Maybe there trying to meditate and concentrate ...

on their prayers?

[greyl]

91. I'd expect a more relaxed orbicularis if they were 'meditating'.

I think it's more of a holdover from the desire to "be seen praying" when they were trying to please their first religious authority, whoever that may have been.

[Cyrano]

89. Hey, guys and gals. I checked in to see if this thread was still going and

I see that we got deleted because of our thoughtful, intellectual discourse.

I got a chuckle out of some of the back and forth going on, but now, my head hurts again, I'm squeezing my eyes tightly shut, and I'm offering up prayers to help me be as devout an agnostic as I can possibly be.

But on a different note, exactly what was it that got that exchange deleted? Not having been on here since day 1, I hope someone can help me out in finding an answer to this mysterious, seemingly arbitrary deletion. If anyone has a clue please send me a PM. (I'd ask you to post it, but it might get deleted.)

Thanks,

Cyrano

[arwalden]

90. I'll Explain It To You In A PM...

... check your private message inbox in about 5 minutes.