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Paul Ryan to “Far Secular Left”: After Mass Shootings, “Prayer Works”

  

Category:  Religion & Ethics

Via:  hal-a-lujah  •  7 years ago  •  86 comments

Paul Ryan to “Far Secular Left”: After Mass Shootings, “Prayer Works”

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Add House Speaker Paul Ryan to the list of Republicans offering only thoughts and prayers in the wake of Sunday’s mass shooting in a Texas church, because taking meaningful action is always off the table with him and his party.

Speaking with Fox News Channel’s Laura Ingraham last night, Ryan reiterated that the victims and their families need more prayers because “prayer works.”

Prayer doesn’t work.

26 people were murdered while praying. Even Christians ought to admit that prayer doesn’t make a damn bit of difference and their God will do whatever their God wants to do, even if it means letting people die in church because a domestic abuser got his hands on a semi-automatic weapon.

Not that Ryan would ever say that.

Instead, he just blamed the “far secular Left” for not getting it.

"It’s disappointing. It’s sad, and this is what you’ll get from the far secular Left. People who do not have faith, don’t understand faith, I guess I’d have to say. And it is the right thing to do, is to pray in moments like this, because you know what? Prayer works. And I know you believe that and I believe that. And when you hear the secular left doing this thing, no wonder you’ve got so much polarization and disunity in this country when people think like that."

That’s Republican thinking for you right there: The people who hear the facts, examine the evidence, and demand action are to blame for polarizing the country… while the people in charge, the ones who sit on their asses doing absolutely nothing (at least when they’re not voting to make the problems worse), should get credit for being the vanguards of everything right with America.

The people who don’t have faith understand it perfectly well. That’s why we chucked it a long time ago. We know prayer is the only thing most politicians want to offer in times of distress because meaningful action would alienate their core supporters and donors. Democrats get it. Other countries get it. The only ones who don’t come from the same party that routinely rejects science, facts, and experts.

There are, of course, Christians who believe prayer is meaningless unless it’s followed up with action. We can argue that they’re wasting their time with that first step, but these aren’t the people we’re complaining about.

We’re specifically criticizing those who have the ability to pass gun reform legislation and mental health reforms… but choose to do nothing.

That’s what Paul Ryan has to offer the nation: A giant, steaming bowl of jack shit. And he wants credit for that meal because he says grace before gulping it down.


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Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1  seeder  Hal A. Lujah    7 years ago

Speaking with Fox News Channel’s Laura Ingraham last night, Ryan reiterated that the victims and their families need more prayers because “prayer works.”

Prayer doesn’t work.

26 people were murdered while praying.

Enough said.

 
 
 
Freefaller
Professor Quiet
1.2  Freefaller  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @1    7 years ago

Do you know what kind of prayers does Paul wants?  I mean are they to be generic good wishes type prayers or something more specific like resurrection of the dead prayers?   

The public needs to know these things

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.2.1  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Freefaller @1.2    7 years ago

are they to be generic good wishes type prayers

Now you're getting it!  (bolding mine)

Prayers are exactly as effective as wishes.  I wish the sun will rise tomorrow morning, and I wish Donald Trump would stop embarrassing our country.  The results will be 50/50 - I guarantee it.  Prayer does nothing but occupy the feeble minded .... which rightwing politicians love, because it keeps them from having to say anything more meaningful than "thoughts and prayers."

 

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.2.3  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.2    7 years ago

You obviously don't know me.  I'm an equal opportunity mocker of religion - party has nothing to do with it.  It just so happens that the right wears Christianity on their sleeves far more prevalent than the left.  Don't act like that isn't the truth.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.2.5  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.4    7 years ago

The seed is about Paul Ryan.  Did you miss that?

 
 
 
Willjay9
Freshman Silent
1.2.7  Willjay9  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.2    7 years ago

Is Barack Obama Speaker of the House? POTUS?, can he effect change and government solutions to this problem?.....No? Then why bring him up?

 
 
 
Willjay9
Freshman Silent
1.2.9  Willjay9  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.8    7 years ago

I don't need to read the thread, I saw the interview, and all he did was deflect and obfuscate from the question. Prayer means nothing if you are unwilling to put action to words. Instead of him talking about praying for victims, why don't he get off his ass and legislate so that there will no longer be any victims you have to pray for!

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
1.2.11  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.10    7 years ago

Classic is it not?

laughing dude goofy

 
 
 
Willjay9
Freshman Silent
1.2.13  Willjay9  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.10    7 years ago
Isn't murder already illegal? Do you think a LAW will prevent all crime? LMAO!

So it's a joke to you that 26 people were murdered and the only thing the Speaker of the House, can say is we need prayer?!........

 
 
 
Willjay9
Freshman Silent
1.2.14  Willjay9  replied to  Texan1211 @1.2.10    7 years ago

I'll be sure to remind you of your comment when the next Muslim terrorist attack happens, especially the part about how you thought it was so much the joke

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
1.2.15  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Willjay9 @1.2.13    7 years ago

What do you want him to say? We need stricter gun laws cuz this law against murder thing just ain't working?

 
 
 
Willjay9
Freshman Silent
1.2.16  Willjay9  replied to  Just Jim NC TttH @1.2.15    7 years ago
What do you want him to say? We need stricter gun laws cuz this law against murder thing just ain't working?

Maybe that we need to look into more mental health issues instead of trying to defund it? Maybe Trump's idiotic EO making it EASIER for mentally ill people to buy guns is a bad idea! Something other than the solution to this problem is prayer?!

law against murder thing just ain't working?

Funny but when murder was done just a few weeks earlier, I see you didn't have any problems needing stricter immigration laws cuz this law against murder thing just aint working?......Why didn't Ryan pray on that one?

 
 
 
Just Jim NC TttH
Professor Principal
1.2.17  Just Jim NC TttH  replied to  Willjay9 @1.2.16    7 years ago

How do you know he didn't............and for that matter, that he doesn't on a daily basis?

 
 
 
livefreeordie
Junior Silent
1.3  livefreeordie  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @1    7 years ago

We don't pray because we believe God will prevent any and all harm to come to us. That is contrary to His word. We pray to be in intimate fellowship with Him regardless of peaceful or life threatening situations and that we will be at peace in Him, NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS.

"And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."  Matthew 10:28

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25,26

Jesus warned that Believers would be killed in the last days for their love of Him

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” Matthew 24:9

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.3.1  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  livefreeordie @1.3    7 years ago

What's the big deal?  It's just murder.  Speaking of bible quotes and murder:

 
 
 
livefreeordie
Junior Silent
1.3.3  livefreeordie  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @1.3.1    7 years ago

Your ignorant post is a strawman from rational discussion.  First of all, it was a strawman that had nothing to do with what I posted.

Secondly, All but one of the referenced passages is from the OT history of the Jews and the Law of Moses. Neither apply to Christians.

Third, many of the examples including the New Testament are about God's action in taking lives.  God cannot murder.  Murder is the unlawful taking of innocent life.

Nothing is unlawful for God and He has the right to remove any life because He is the one who gives life.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.3.4  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  livefreeordie @1.3.3    7 years ago

Lol - you are the one who started quoting scripture.  I'm not about to get into the shitbag of nonsense you just dropped here.  If you don't want your scripture mocked, then don't post it in an atheist's seeds. 

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.3.5  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Release The Kraken @1.3.2    7 years ago

And who might they be?

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.3.7  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Texan1211 @1.3.6    7 years ago

Can you dry your tears and get over it?

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
1.3.9  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Texan1211 @1.3.8    7 years ago

You know, I am not one for RBR, but maybe I need to start warning theocrats that scripture is not allowed on my seeds - if nothing else, it will keep you from getting your feelings hurt.

 
 
 
Skrekk
Sophomore Participates
1.3.11  Skrekk  replied to  livefreeordie @1.3.3    7 years ago
Nothing is unlawful for God and He has the right to remove any life because He is the one who gives life.

Hi Larry!   Sounds like you're admitting that your "god" is a murderer.    Who would worship such a violent and unethical creature?

 
 
 
Gordy327
Professor Guide
1.3.13  Gordy327  replied to  Texan1211 @1.3.12    7 years ago
Actually, his post did nothing of the sort.

His post simply gives god a free pass for anything.

 
 
 
Gordy327
Professor Guide
1.3.15  Gordy327  replied to  Texan1211 @1.3.14    7 years ago
Your inability to understand is a reflection on you, not his post.

I understand all too well, and my statement stands.

 
 
 
Willjay9
Freshman Silent
1.3.16  Willjay9  replied to  Release The Kraken @1.3.2    7 years ago

Ok.....then what do we do about the Dylan Roofs and Robert Lewis Dears? You know the Christian soldiers out doing God's work?

 
 
 
magnoliaave
Sophomore Quiet
1.3.17  magnoliaave  replied to  Skrekk @1.3.11    7 years ago

Your comment is rude, ugly and trash!

 
 
 
Skrekk
Sophomore Participates
1.3.18  Skrekk  replied to  magnoliaave @1.3.17    7 years ago
Your comment is rude, ugly and trash!

What part didn't you like about it......the fact that the Abrahamic god myth is about a violent, psychotic and murderous "god", or the fact that some people still worship that mythology?

 
 
 
JohnRussell
Professor Principal
2  JohnRussell    7 years ago

I think people who believe in prayer generally feel better after praying, so in that sense it works. 

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
2.2  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  JohnRussell @2    7 years ago

I won't dispute that point, it's just too bad that some of those folks want to insist to everyone else that prayer works in tangible terms too.  Look no farther than Texan1211 for evidence of that.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
2.2.2  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Texan1211 @2.2.1    7 years ago

You must be special.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
2.2.4  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Texan1211 @2.2.3    7 years ago

Is your real name Ed?

 
 
 
Gordy327
Professor Guide
2.2.6  Gordy327  replied to  Texan1211 @2.2.1    7 years ago
I claimed that prayer worked for ME.

Too bad you haven't proved it.

 
 
 
Gordy327
Professor Guide
2.2.8  Gordy327  replied to  Texan1211 @2.2.7    7 years ago

Then your claim is completely baseless. So no, I do not believe it. 

 
 
 
Gordy327
Professor Guide
2.2.10  Gordy327  replied to  Texan1211 @2.2.9    7 years ago

Whether you care or not is irrelevant. You simply have no credibility. 

 
 
 
Freefaller
Professor Quiet
2.3  Freefaller  replied to  JohnRussell @2    7 years ago

No offence meant but while you are correct this article is being critical of those of us that don't pray and encouraging us to forego our reluctance and do so.  I'm sorry but no one has the right to either tell someone to pray or alternatively not to pray, it has to be an individual decision.

 
 
 
Hal A. Lujah
Professor Guide
2.3.1  seeder  Hal A. Lujah  replied to  Freefaller @2.3    7 years ago

Tell that to Paul Ryan.

 
 
 
Freefaller
Professor Quiet
2.3.2  Freefaller  replied to  Hal A. Lujah @2.3.1    7 years ago

Lol I don't have much knowledge of who this Paul Ryan is, but whoever he is I seriously doubt my opinion would have much value to him.

 
 
 
lennylynx
Sophomore Quiet
2.3.4  lennylynx  replied to  Freefaller @2.3.2    7 years ago

If Trump and Pence both go down for this Russia thing, Paul Ryan will be President.

 
 
 
Tessylo
Professor Principal
2.3.5  Tessylo  replied to  lennylynx @2.3.4    7 years ago
If Trump and Pence both go down for this Russia thing, Paul Ryan will be President.

I imagine Paul Ryan is guilty of collusion also - along with the majority of Donald Rump's cabinet.  

 
 
 
Freefaller
Professor Quiet
2.3.6  Freefaller  replied to  lennylynx @2.3.4    7 years ago

I know it's bad but I honestly don't care.  Lol a potted plant could be elected president and I wouldn't care.

 
 
 
Willjay9
Freshman Silent
3  Willjay9    7 years ago

White guy shoots and kills people.....conservatives "we need prayer"

Brown guy runs over and kills people.....conservatives " we need to ban immigrants"

Yeah sounds equal!

 
 
 
LynneA
Freshman Silent
4  LynneA    7 years ago

Wondering what Paul Ryan has to say for the "far left believers"? 

How am I suppose to fit myself into a category?/LOL!

 
 
 
Skrekk
Sophomore Participates
4.1  Skrekk  replied to  LynneA @4    7 years ago

Ryan generally just likes to pander to bigoted right-wing Christian extremists, so if you're not in that group you're out of luck!

 
 

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