Religion
Related: About this forumFaced with a shutdown, federal workers turn to prayer and preparedness
Last edited Mon Sep 30, 2013, 11:50 AM - Edit history (1)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/federal-workers-turn-to-prayer-and-preparedness/2013/09/29/6f7a6618-2943-11e3-b139-029811dbb57f_story.htmlBehind the scenes of the shutdown debate:?Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are scrambling before the Oct. 1 deadline. If a spending plan isnt passed, many federal agencies will close their doors.
By Emily Wax-Thibodeaux and Lisa Rein, Published: September 29
They spent Sunday checking their bank balances. They talked with loved ones about which bills could be paid late. And they wondered whether working for the government was still a stable job.
For federal workers across the country, it was an anxiety-ridden weekend as the government came closer to a partial shutdown at midnight Monday.
The threat of an extended loss of pay is hitting a workforce already battered by a three-year wage freeze, months of furloughs forced by the budget cuts known as sequestration and a dimmed perception of government work among many Americans.
At Washingtons National Zoo, where thousands of visitors jostled to see images of the newborn panda, electrician Stephen Gripper planned to check the lighting in the Great Cats exhibit.
Then he was going to bow his head and pray.
more at link
trotsky
(49,533 posts)there are probably 3 or 4 right-wing Christians who pray daily for Obama and the government to fail.
Whose god will win?
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)Jim__
(14,076 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)This is a shameful thing.
skepticscott
(13,029 posts)To give god and the prayers of "liberal", "progressive" religionists all the credit if a shutdown is avoided. But no blame if it isn't. Or perhaps you'll give credit to a "coalition" of believers and non-believers. Anything to make this about religion and "faith communities".
shraby
(21,946 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)Warren Stupidity
(48,181 posts)Not praying to fictitious sky beings.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)As to the praying, I think it is merely an indication of how anxious those directly affected by this are.
dimbear
(6,271 posts)More practical.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)in order to get their children something to eat.
They are in a terrible position over which they have absolutely no control. They are not going to get paid.
If praying gives them some comfort, so what?
dimbear
(6,271 posts)cbayer
(146,218 posts)OTOH, they may get some comfort from their faith if they are believers.
And how does that hurt anyone?
Hydepier
(21 posts)a moment for religion to show a bright side.
People faced with not being able to pay their mortgage, not being able to buy groceries this weekend
Somehow religion has something to do with this, in a positive way?
People who are desperate do what they have been taught to do since they were first afraid at 5-10 years old, Pray!
Somehow, some people feel that this is the best that religions have taught us in the last 3000 years?
Somehow, a very self-centered moment of Republicans in our nation's history becomes somehow infused with some sort of religious significance?
Why does this thread appear in a forum dedicate to the rational and infromational discussion of various religions? Are there any lessons to be learned here? For the faithful, for the people of no faith, what does a failure in Americans' system of governance have to offer us about the topic of religion, other than some people resort to primitive means to fix problems?
cbayer
(146,218 posts)It's really bad for a lot of people.
When people feel powerless and are being harmed by forces well beyond their control, they are welcome to take comfort in whatever helps them, imo. They are not even permitted to speak to each other or check their e-mails.
If it's prayer, so be it. If it's watching mindless movies, like my daughter plans to do, that's cool too.
What difference does it make to you personally?
The thread belongs here because it talks about how individuals that are being directly impacted are trying to cope with this and some of them are being bolstered by their faith.
Wouldn't work for you? No problem. Don't pray.