This Agnostic is Praying for the President's Safety

[Czar One]

My grandfather never spoke to me about Dachau. He did, however, impart mass quantities of information on the conditions which led to his incarceration there.

You see, Paul Gold knew that the true affront to all that is decent and human lay NOT with the result, but, rather, the process. He told me of incidents that you don't see reported on the History channel, such as the murderous hatred in the eyes of a German Lutheran, the owner of a bakery, as he sold my grand-dad bread. No words, no insults. Just the all-too-obvious contempt on the face of a man, looking at someone he believed to be vermin.

He informed me of the deliberate disrespect that he, a professional locksmith, encountered on a daily basis from everyday Germans who had purchased whole the easy explanations of the Nazi Party. A 12-year-old boy had spit in his face, an elderly woman had looked him straight in the eye and said kike. His next-door neighbor, believing himself to be ministering for Christ, TOLD MY GRANDFATHER HE WAS GOING TO HELL FOR HIS "NON-ACCEPTANCE!!!"

Process, not result. That is what we're seeing now, in the barely-disguised racism of those who had found no problems with the "Decider," in the crocodilian tears of Glenn Beck, in the manufactured outrage of the Town-Hollers (misspelling intended), screaming "tyranny" at their elected representatives, many of them having learned, hours earlier, that the word did not define a type of dinosaur.

President Obama is at risk: You know it, I know it. The burgeoning wave of vituperation gathers steam, even after the Dog Days of August have passed. I don't know what I can do.

I don't know what I can do!

Do you believe? If so, please pray with this lost, uncertain soul, that whatever powers may be give grace and protection to this good, American man.

[Czar One]

1. Sadly, I've Not Had Anyone State Their Belief.....

...or lack thereof.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. I pray for our President every day

in an affirmation. I will add that I hope those who oppose him in such a dastardly manner see the Light.

My beliefs are universal in scope, meaning that all paths eventually lead to the Goal. In the case of the religious right and "fundamentalist" Muslims, etc, I pray that their paths may be made a bit straighter and less crooked.

Personally, I feel that God is beyond human comprehension--God is everything, and yet personal at the same time. The power of our thoughts has a greater influence on our lives than many can imagine. This is why what you say is so very very important.

May our country find peace.

And blessings to you for learning the lessons of your Grandfather.

[Clio the Leo]

3. Amen! ....... Couldn't hurt ...... Might help! NT

[Clio the Leo]

4. .... and let me add......

..... I encourage everyone to not ONLY pray for his safety, but that God will give him the strength and understanding to do his job the best that he can.

And it probably wouldn't hurt to pray for 60 votes in favor of a bill that contains a "robust!" public option. ;)

[lunatica]

5. In my opinion it's not about prayer as a fix

It's about dealing with racism actively and not expecting God to do the work. See, it doesn't matter if there is a God who is all powerful. With the law of Free Will we are left to deal with the consequences of our own free will. I do believe that what we do can help just like evil can prevail if left to run its course. I also see that there is a backlash of reaction to the racism we've witnessed for at least a year. When leaders and celebrity activists speak out it's time to pay attention.

I would like to say that Sarah Palin was the one who started it with her accusations of Obama being a pal to a terrorist, but it was McCain who did it. He gave racists a legitimacy that they've gladly taken and run with. Beck and Limbaugh have done their share too.

It's time to confront it. We did it in the past and we need to do it again. Prayer helps because it certainly can't hurt unless one thinks that prayer is all one needs to do. But Free Will is the active energy at work. Being accountable for our own actions, words, or, conversely, our innaction and silence.

[jonnyblitz]

6. If mumbling to yourself makes you feel better than go for it

but that is all your doing is mumbling to yourself. Prayer is for people who want to feel like they are doing something without having to get off their ass and ACTUALLY doing something.

[Czar One]

9. Your're an atheist, I'm an agnoctic, but

as Clio the Leo stated above, it couldn't hurt! O8)

[Cha]

16. That's your view of the Universe..

To Each his/her Own and to thine Ownself be True. Cicero~

My view is to ask for the Force of White Light to Shine on PO and his Family and keep them out of harm's way~

[LanternWaste]

17. One does not deny the other...

"Like they are doing something without having to get off their ass and ACTUALLY doing something...."

While one does not deny the other, there's always room for civility...

[RaleighNCDUer]

7. You are so right - but treading on thin ice here.

It seems to be the consensus belief that no comparisons with Hitler's reich are allowed until we have concentration camps and mass extermination of enemies of the state.

But in 1932, even Nazi Germany was not that Nazi Germany. They were in the process of getting there - and without exposure and confrontation, I think WE are in the process of getting there.

We have taken a step back from it, with Obama's election. God help us (and I say this as an atheist) if anything should happen to him.

[AspenRose]

8. "Pray to God, but hammer away." --Spanish proverb

[crim son]

12. It's a little like "God helps those who help themselves."

Even if prayer has no effect other than to inspire the pray-er, it might still be worth doing.

[rockymountaindem]

13. "Trust in God, but row away from the rocks"

Hunter S. Thompson.

[liquid diamond]

10. Cue the assholes in 5...4...3...2..

[crim son]

11. I'll pray.

I'll pray and speak reasonably to people who have been infected with the hate and fear you describe because I am worried as you are.

One thing: imagine his courage, knowing as he must the danger he's in. And imagine: the shrub survived eight years.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

14. I add my agnosic prayer with yours...

Dear God, if you their is a God. Save my soul, if I have a soul and protect and guide President Obama, he is a good American man.

ummm Amen

[PassingFair]

15. This post belongs in R/T...

not here.