Prayer at Rallies

[rajibo]

Does Ron Paul always have a prayer before AND after each of his rallies?

I understand he is a man of strong faith, but if you've never heard him before, and are not a Christian, it may end up doing more harm than good in getting those potential supporters.

I was watching the Pittsburgh rally on my computer yesterday, and even alone in my office, I felt a bit uncomfortable during the praying.

I was okay with the one before the rally, but when everybody is getting up to leave and have to stop for another one, that's a bit much.

Just my thoughts....

 

[MozoVote]

Somewhere in Ron Paul's bios it says he considered becoming a minister before going into medicine. He likes to cite religious faith in a creator during his speeches. I think it fits with his persona, and the belief system of most Republicans.

I think his campaign still attracts more agnostics and pagans than any other Republican candidate, though. I don't view it as a big deal to close my eyes during a prayer. Just meditate or rest, if you are a non-believer.

 

[Birdlady]

You can't be serious...

Why is everyone so afraid of people being different or expressing themselves?

It's Ron Paul. It's his campaign. If you want him to change something that drastic such as backing away from his religion, you are taking away everything that makes him what he is! Think about what you just said...seriously!

 

[Phil M]

No one's saying he should back away from his religion. I have always respected him for being private about his religion and not using it for political gain, but that is what this looks like. Not a good move for a guy who gets 30-40% of his support from atheists and agnostics, as shown by a poll on this forum.

 

[Birdlady]

No one's saying he should back away from his religion. I have always respected him for being private about his religion and not using it for political gain, but that is what this looks like. Not a good move for a guy who gets 30-40% of his support from atheists and agnostics, as shown by a poll on this forum.

what? political gain? I don't see this at all! Ron Paul is a religious man and so much so that it spreads out into his campaign. Don't get so worked up about it. He doesn't make you pray with him.

If you don't want to pray then don't. I am sure there are others around you that do the same. In fact, I know I saw people around me that were not praying yesterday. It doesn't offend me that they don't pray, so why does it offend you when people DO pray?

 

[TexMac]

Does Ron Paul always have a prayer before AND after each of his rallies?

I understand he is a man of strong faith, but if you've never heard him before, and are not a Christian, it may end up doing more harm than good in getting those potential supporters.

I was watching the Pittsburgh rally on my computer yesterday, and even alone in my office, I felt a bit uncomfortable during the praying.

I was okay with the one before the rally, but when everybody is getting up to leave and have to stop for another one, that's a bit much.

Just my thoughts....

I was there and felt the first one was OK and the second one was a little much. Still, I think it's a one-time thing. RP was in his hometown and all his brothers were there. The one who did the prayer is a minister. I think RP wanted to include him.

I was at the rally in Mountain View and there was no invocation or closing prayer. Has there been either at any other rally?

 

[Ed W]

...

 

[Phil M]

what? political gain? I don't see this at all! Ron Paul is a religious man and so much so that it spreads out into his campaign. Don't get so worked up about it. He doesn't make you pray with him.

If you don't want to pray then don't. I am sure there are others around you that do the same. In fact, I know I saw people around me that were not praying yesterday. It doesn't offend me that they don't pray, so why does it offend you when people DO pray?

I doesn't offend me. I'm just a little disappointed, as Paul has almost always relied totally upon secular argument to get his point across. I suppose he still does, much more so than the other candidates. If he wants to pray, fine.

 

[rajibo]

You can't be serious...

Why is everyone so afraid of people being different or expressing themselves?

It's Ron Paul. It's his campaign. If you want him to change something that drastic such as backing away from his religion, you are taking away everything that makes him what he is! Think about what you just said...seriously!

I have seriously thought about what I just said. If I hadn't seriously thought about it, I wouldn't have posted.

I don't want Ron Paul to change anything. I said I was okay with the first prayer. I just question the wisdom of having a second prayer immediately after the speech.

You here a rousing speech, you're excited to talk about it, you're feeling good, then you have to stop (and I believe most people would respectfully stop) and hear another prayer. I think even for some dedicated Christians that might be a buzzkill.

That's all I'm saying.

 

[jjschless]

... I stand quietly, bow my head, and think about how much Thomas Jefferson kicks ass.

ROFL!!!!


Good Stuff!

 

[cujothekitten]

I don't mind him praying... he's a man of faith so it's pretty expected.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

This was Dr. Paul's hometown. I am sure he knows what the proper local feeling would be.

 

[Sean]

I don't think he ends many of his events with a prayer. Anyways it is a nonissue to me. If people are praying I will just wait patiently for it to be over. I may be nonreligious, but I respect a lot of the values that religions instill in people.

 

[B964]

I am an atheist and it does not bother me at all.

 

[fedup100]

Rajibo wrote:

I understand he is a man of strong faith, but if you've never heard him before, and are not a Christian, it may end up doing more harm than good in getting those potential supporters.

Boy IMO, you have stepped in it now. I am so sick of these people ashamed of our Lord and savior.....this is the spirit of ant-Christ and I am going to stand up right in its face. Ron Paul should pray when and where and as often as he chooses and if it turns off a voter then good riddance.

 

[jj111]

First Amendment: Freedom of religion

Just a comparison, it seems most local Republican and NRA events start with a pledge of allegience, and you know that pledge invokes the name of God. I think a lot of Republicans are used to doing something in the name of God before an event.... Maybe I'm wrong. But it really is Ron Paul and his campaign's decision to make. And I think RP has proven himself to have overall good political judgement in other political areas. I think he's doing a good job balancing his own religious beliefs and a political campaign.

 

[DJ RP]

I respect ron paul for his positions and appreciate he can have his faith, even mention it in his arguments sometimes ("I believe we were given our rights by a creator") but I agree that outright praying at the beginning and end is too much, it should be private, half his audience may well be agnostic/atheist and politics and religion don't mix

 

[kwood4800]

I would consider myself a devout Christian but I usually find it uncomfortable when people on reality shows and such pray on TV because they are usually things like "Let me win" or "give me strenth so I can win" and I feel that casts a bad vibe towards Christians. The prayer at the Ron Paul rally, however, was nothing like that. The prayer was for safety for all in attendance, and for guidance for our nation. It was very pleased that it wasn't a "Make RP win" kind of thing. Just my two cents.

 

[rajibo]

Rajibo wrote:

Boy IMO, you have stepped in it now. I am so sick of these people ashamed of our Lord and savior.....this is the spirit of ant-Christ and I am going to stand up right in its face. Ron Paul should pray when and where and as often as he chooses and if it turns off a voter then good riddance.

Wow! I've been called a lot of thing in my day, but never the anti-Christ.

I'm going to go meditate on that.

Sorry I brought it up.

 

[JPFromTally]

Is this a government sponsored event? No? Then pray away.