Maxx on September 25, 2008 at 10:52 PM

I was going to make a jibe like that but I decided to take the high-road.

If you are praying you are making the assumption that good supernatural forces are at work. It stands to reason that there might be bad ones, as well, and that you would want protection from them. You can’t logically criticize prayer against witchcraft unless you are going to have the balls to criticize prayer as such. Bottom line: non-issue.

Re: Israelites

Clearly he meant the reference to be complementary. He is basically saying “God wants us to do X and that’s what the Israelites did and continue to do.” Not sure if the “even today” bit refers to Jews in general or the nation of Israel in particular, but either way he is holding them up as examples to follow. The corruption he talks about later is what the non-Israeilites get into. Only someone with an agenda can take it any other way.

And while there seems to be many who think they are one and the same, atheism properly and fully understood simply means no belief in God.

Which does NOT immediately lead to an antagonism toward religion.

Just like being a Christian doesn’t make me an anti-atheist (although there are Christians who think they are one and the same).

The difference really is the focus – are you more concerned about YOUR beliefs or are you more concerned about SOMEONE ELSE’S beliefs.

Religious_Zealot on September 26, 2008 at 8:01 AM

I attempted to make the same point over at Ace’s last night. I don’t know if I made any impression or not. But my premise is roughly simular to yours- just because I’m an athiest doesn’t mean I have to be a lickspittle towards someone else when they say “God bless you”. It isn’t a matter of conversion or an attempt to make me out to be a heretic- it’s merely someone wishing well of me. I never have understood why an athiest would be one of the most offended groups vis-a-vis religion, when by definition they should have no offence at all.

Who is this Cheezus character he keeps going on about? – Kasper Hauser on September 25, 2008 at 10:49 PM

Jesus, the Nazarene, called the Christ by those who worship him as the Son of God and redeemer of mankind.

ManlyRash on September 25, 2008 at 10:54 PM

Are you sure? I thought it was the cartoon cat who hawks Cheetos.

/cheesy

Is it really shocking that a guy who comes from a part of the world where they believe in witchcraft would pray for protection from it?

Exactly. This isn’t shocking at all. He is praying for God to protect Sarah against demonic attack. Witchcraft and demon are terms used interchangeably and/or in conjunction with each other in his part of the world. It’s no different for Christians here either. If you practice witchcraft you are of the devil. Even Hollywood uses this biblical teaching in some of their horror films.

Why prayers about witchcraft would be deemed alarmingly kooky or outre

Witches are mentioned in the Bible:

“There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a WITCH. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth DRIVE THEM OUT FROM BEFORE THEE.” Deuteronomy 18:10-12

when prayers about angels, demons, or Satan are perfectly mundane and unexceptional escapes me

This is a good point. Look folks, there is nothing wrong with this at all. Nothing. In fact, Christian’s are supposed to pray for our leaders:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; FOR KINGS, and for ALL THAT ARE IN AUTHORITY; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2

And friends, praying for protection against demons…, you would do well yourself to ask God to place a hedge of protection around you! Demons exist! Make no mistake about it!! That’s why the Bible tells us to “put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11-12).

These verses give us a brief glimpse of the tremendous spiritual forces arrayed against us. Demons are sent out by Satan with the mission to separate you from God. They’re job is to distract you from the truth!

2 Corinthians 4:4, “In whom the god (Satan) of this world hath BLINDED THE MINDS of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

That’s why 1 Peter 5:8 warns us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Take a look at this: ‘Demon’ leers over man’s shoulder. Now whether this picture is an actual demon or not, your guess is as good as mine. But, a photographic expert said the picture did not have evidence of tampering.

Folks, Satan is real! We need not be “ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11) the very first of which is to cause doubt in God’s Word (Genesis 3:1,4) and then to disobey it (Genesis 3:5-6). We can only stand against him if we are “strong in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:12) and wear “the whole armour of God.”

May the LORD bless you and protect you.

“OUT OF MY MOUTH, FOUL JESUS COOKIE!” Via HotAir, by way of Dave…….

I think she SHOULD back out and let ROMNEY appear like the a Financial-knowledge Super Hero to take her place.

Pretty-please?

moonlighter on September 26, 2008 at 10:38 AM

A voice of reason the the darkness. Sometimes making a bonehead move like picking a person who is not as qualified as probaby 15 people you personally know is not mavericky, but boneheaded.

It’s probably way too late to do it now, but where were these voices of reason weeks ago, I guess they were just blinded by HER faith.

If Obama even tries to touch this, Wright is SO fair game.

DanStark on September 25, 2008 at 10:55 PM

huh? What did you do, SLEEP through the 6 week long 24/7 Rev Wright marathon on all the MSM and Fox?

But now, after hearing her repeat and repeat, and stumble over questions, I’m crashing down about her.

I think she SHOULD back out and let ROMNEY appear like the a Financial-knowledge Super Hero to take her place.

Pretty-please?

True to oneself! Which self? Which of my many†hundreds of selves?† There are moments when I feel I am nothing but the small clerk of some hotel without a proprietor, who has all his work cut out to enter the names and hand the keys to the willful guests.

—Beauchamp

http://ace.mu.nu/archives/obama_muslim_garb.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4kVck4gRUI

Yeah, I know he’s not a Muslim, but his Jesus is black and wants to kill white people…………..

AP, you are being overly glib about atheism. There is no point in atheism unless one is willing to point out the evils of religion…
thuja on September 25, 2008 at 11:41 PM

You’re confusing atheism with anti-theism.

And while there seems to be many who think they are one and the same, atheism properly and fully understood simply means no belief in God.

Which does NOT immediately lead to an antagonism toward religion.

Just like being a Christian doesn’t make me an anti-atheist (although there are Christians who think they are one and the same).

The difference really is the focus – are you more concerned about YOUR beliefs or are you more concerned about SOMEONE ELSE’S beliefs.