Paul Ryan to “Far Secular Left”: After Mass Shootings, “Prayer Works”
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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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.
prove prayer doesn't work.
Prove it does.
Um, the first post claimed it doesn't work. Why aren't you asking him for proof?
You mean those victims weren't all in that church collectively praying for a madman to burst in and shoot them?
victims weren't all in that church collectively praying for a madman to burst in and shoot them
Was that Hal or Hal quoting Devin Kelly? They're indistinguishable.
Because one cannot prove a negative. It's a logical fallacy and trying to require said proof is shifting the burden of proof. Prayer works about as well as yoga or meditation on an individual and emotional level. But there is nothing to suggest it has any tangible effect outside of that.
I can easily say that some of my prayers have been answered. Can you refute that statement? Can you definitively prove otherwise?
They're indistinguishable.
I'm the one that didn't teach Sunday school. Hope that helps.
I can easily say that some of my prayers have been answered. Can you refute that statement? Can you definitively prove otherwise?
What did you expect? A zero percent success rate? That would be entirely unnatural. Of course some things you wish for will come true - ask anyone who's ever won anything.
If you're making the affirmative claim, then the burden of proof is on you. Otherwise, I have no reason to believe your claim.
26 people were murdered while praying
That may not be able to prove it doesn't.....but it lays out on hell of an argument!
So it's like that now?
Okay--here:
Texas: 17 Undocumented Immigrants Rescued From Truck
time.com/4898835/texas-immigrants-found-truck
Police discovered 17 undocumented immigrants locked inside a tractor-trailer parked at a rest-stop in south Texas
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libyaobserver.ly
7 days ago
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Aug 19, 2017 · Sixty illegal immigrants who were comingled within a tractor holding produce were rescued by Rio Grande Valley Sector Border Patrol Agents on Saturday.
Dozens of immigrants rescued from trailers - Brownsville ...
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SARITA - Border Patrol agents found 14 immigrants hidden inside a tractor-trailer rig at the Sarita checkpoint this morning.
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17 Illegal Immigrants Rescued From Tractor-Trailer in Texas
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Seventeen illegal immigrants were rescued Sunday after being locked in a sweltering tractor-trailer for as many as eight hours. The illegal immigrants had traveled ...
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Using your logic, here is proof that prayer does work.
Really? Now you just have to prove that someone was praying for them? That all these people were praying? So you're saying to me that prayer can be retroactive? Kind of like back pay?
I could easily rebut back that they were praying to have a uneventful life and damn near lost their lives!
Why should it and why does it matter to you?
Kind of like back pay?
You've heard of "paying it forward", right? This would be "praying it backward".
Oh! Sorry to burst your bubble....but I'm not an atheist! So it does matter to me!
But I'm secular enough to know prayer ain't going to solve this problem
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
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."
Why do you act as if prayers and thoughts are GOP exclusive items?
Barack Obama Sends Prayers To Las Vegas After Mass ...
https://www.vibe.com/2017/10/barack-obama-reaction-mass-shooting
Obama on Oregon shooting: "Our thoughts and prayers are ...
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-on-oregon-shooting-our-thoughts...
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.
Then say that instead of ONLY berating the right for it in your posts. be fair AND consistent.
The seed is about Paul Ryan. Did you miss that?
Then why have you insisted on talking about everything EXCEPT Ryan?
Is Barack Obama Speaker of the House? POTUS?, can he effect change and government solutions to this problem?.....No? Then why bring him up?
read the thread and perhaps you'll understand.
if not, get someone with more time to explain it to you
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!
Isn't murder already illegal? Do you think a LAW will prevent all crime?
LMAO!
Classic is it not?
yeah, man, if ONLY there was some law saying it is illegal to shoot humans. If only there was some type of legal system designed to prosecute people who do so,
Why, I bet that would have stopped a crazy person from shooting up a church full of people.
And to top it all off, now it appears that the blame rests solely on the people minding their own business, conducting a worship session in accordance with the Constitution of the US. because they won't vote in people who will make it impossible to exercise our rights under that Constitution.
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?!........
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
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?!
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?
How do you know he didn't............and for that matter, that he doesn't on a daily basis?
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
What's the big deal? It's just murder. Speaking of bible quotes and murder:
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.
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.
And who might they be?
Can you just dispute without mocking?
Can you dry your tears and get over it?
Not crying about anything, and doubt I ever will over anything you post.
Intelligent people can argue and disagree without mocking.
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.
I didn't write one word of scripture on your precious seed.
What exactly about words scare you so?
Hi Larry! Sounds like you're admitting that your "god" is a murderer. Who would worship such a violent and unethical creature?
Actually, his post did nothing of the sort.
His post simply gives god a free pass for anything.
Your inability to understand is a reflection on you, not his post.
I understand all too well, and my statement stands.
Ok.....then what do we do about the Dylan Roofs and Robert Lewis Dears? You know the Christian soldiers out doing God's work?
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?
I think people who believe in prayer generally feel better after praying, so in that sense it works.
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.
I claimed that prayer worked for ME. I never have and never will claim it for someone else.
You must be special.
God thinks so!
Is your real name Ed?
Nope!
Skirting the CoC [ph]
Too bad you haven't proved it.
Don't need to prove it to anyone.
You see, it matters not whether you personally believe in God or what I have written. That is your decision, and I respect that.
To each their own.
Then your claim is completely baseless. So no, I do not believe it.
Okay, don't believe it, It doesn't affect me in any way, so why would I care what you believe?
Whether you care or not is irrelevant. You simply have no credibility.
Like I said, you have every right to feel as you do.
Doesn't matter at all to me.
I'm not here to convince you that I am right.
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.
Tell that to Paul Ryan.
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.
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.
I know it's bad but I honestly don't care. Lol a potted plant could be elected president and I wouldn't care.
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!
No, it is more like this---
White guy runs over and kills people--Dems cry "Imprison him for life"
Black guy runs over and kills people--Dems cry "It is society's and white people's fault for keeping him down!"
Brown guy runs over and kills people--Dems cry "He was just going to work to better his life for himself and his family!"
Ok...with you so far
And of course you have proof of the false stereotype right?
Once again proof of that?....just one instance of this happening, empty and unsubstantial rhetoric aint going to fly here! Because I see a brown guy runs over and kills people and Dems are saying fry his ass in federal court! Whereas white guy runs over and kills people Repubs are saying we need more information, nows not the time for politicizing, and my favorite they were good people! Or are you going to claim this was an attack on Christianity like Repubs tried with the Las Vegas shooting?
Wondering what Paul Ryan has to say for the "far left believers"?
How am I suppose to fit myself into a category?/LOL!
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!