The use of the word 'prayer'...

[PCIntern]

On MTP, Jay Barbree who's been doing the NASA beat for 50 years, and, like Tweety, has just published a book, was talking about Alan Shepherd's flight and was saying that when the rocket went up, people were gazing at it and there were those down on their knees praying for the astronaut.

You know, I've been associated with many situations in public places including car accidents, catastrophic building collapses, bank robbery sequelae, all manners of hospital situations which are acutely frightening (as part of my workdays years ago), and other life-changing incidents, and I HAVE NEVER EVER SEEN ANYONE DROP TO HIS OR HER KNEES AND START PRAYING while the incident was occurring. I'm sure many folks visited their houses of worship thereafter, or sought spirituality in the moments following the event, but never during.

I had visions of tens of thousands on the highways leading to Cape Canaveral on their knees like some Hollywood production of the Hajj. Yeah...

But this language is now pervasive...not new, but almost pandemic on the news. Speaker Pelosi is spouting this stuff in a weird attempt to...I don't know what, but it ain't working. Do recall Holden Caulfield's criticism of the alumnus of his prep school who was an undertaker and prayed a lot, even in his convertible. He could see him tooling down the highway and praying for God to send him a few more stiffs.

[Sadie4629]

1. Remember, this was someone recounting his own experience

If he says he saw people praying, then maybe he did.

The difference between Alan Shepherd's flight and all the tragedies you cite, is that in your examples, there would have been an ongoing situation which would require action. Once Shepherd was in flight, there wasn't much anyone could do to ensure a safe outcome.

I was only six or seven, but I remember watching the launch. It was an amazing thing to everyone.

[PCIntern]

3. I'm sure he thinks he did....

I've seen those launches, I watched TV for endless hours before during and after launches and the Challenger disaster and I have never ever seen a single person on the ground on their knees, praying. I Can imagine people saying colloquially and fervently, "please God let this go right for the people inside and their families", but I'm sorry, I have never seen video or newsreel footage of masses of people praying. Watching in awe, exclaiming with wonder and delight, maybe back-slapping and laughing for joy...this Ive seen. Never a prayer fest during the launch at the actual moment of the launch and its aftermath.

Even in football, the team gets together for a prayer after the final moments. Do you see groups of athletes huddled on the ground, kneeling, during the Super Bowl and they're NOT looking at photos of the Defense?

My point is that it has become de riguer to inject prayer into all actions in America as it as been de riguer to inject the wearing of flag pins. I'm a religious, somewhat observant person and I'm not buying. Sorry.

[Sadie4629]

4. Depends

Some areas of the country may be more prone to that sort of thing. Think "Bible Belt."

'62 was a whole lot different era than we live in now.

As for praying football players, haven't you seen them kneeling in prayer when a teammate, or even a player for an opposing team, is lying motionless on the field? I've seen that. Saw it when the Lion's player, Mike Utlee (?) sustained a life-changing injury. Wasn't watching, but I'm sure it happened when Kevin Everett was taken off the field on a gurney a few weeks ago.

I don't see a problem with it. If people need to reach out to a higher power in a situation where they themselves are powerless, who cares?

[PCIntern]

5. I have no problem with it....

we just never heard of this stuff in all those years of remembrances until very recently when MSM commentators feel they have to blow smoke in the direction of the Bible Belt.

I must tell you, I've been watching TV and the space race since before the night that Sputnik went up - I remember the Jupiter-C rockets with their spinning tops and the Mercury program and all the goings-on...never once did commentators like Barbree or Frank McGee spin all this as a deeply religious experience for those watching. Not ever.

[papau]

2. It may be a case of the company one keeps? and yes I have seen prayer in emergencies - usually not

to ask for a specific outcome, but rather to ask that all may be comforted during this period of worry. The "peace that passeth understanding" does indeed passeth understanding - but is real to many of us.