www.HORBAWRONG.com (creativity's hub)
 

I had to think about this one for a few minutes before I started writing.

I'm sure you're all familiar with the lack of familiarity my brother and I share.  I go to somewhat interesting lengths to poke him, much the same way someone might poke a fat person's belly in a none-too-subtle hint as to communicate that they should lose weight.

I should clarify that I have not always been this negative towards this particular individual--and, in fact, not only have I been a staunch supporter and encourager of him in the past, but I've also issued profuse apologies for when my special flavor of encouragement went too far.

These days have long since passed because no matter how many times we circle round and round, we always wind up in the same place.  I am confident and at times arrogant (inasmuch as that the intensity of my focus on certain goals makes my confidence look like arrogance) and I have an extraordinary low tolerance for stupid ... especially when there's no excuse for it and the individual in question actively does everything they can to close their mind off to the very things that will, in turn, make you, well, a SMART person.

I don't want this to be another attack on religion--that's not necessary right now--but I need to address a something certain Christian's like to say and, in turn, was conveyed to me by my brother in his last blog.

"I'll pray for you."

Four words.  End of conversation.  It doesn't matter how much has been said or debated prior or how much steam remains to continue the discussion ... once those four words are uttered--BAM--game over.

"I'll pray for you."

Now, I understand I'll get flack from Tripp (and maybe Ibrahim ;) but I'll say it anyway: what a fucking cop-out.  "I'll pray for you"?!

I once heard that for a professional writer to use "etcetera" is a pathetic and disappointing cop-out.  If your profession is to write and manufacture words, how can you justify replacing whatever it is you're referring to with "etcetera" or worse "etc."?  After considering the statement "I'll pray for you"--when used unsolicited in the context of an argument or a debate where there are fundamental differences of opinion--there can truly be no greater cop-out.

I'd like to take a moment to address all who participated in previous discussions: thank you for actually engaging and contributing to the discussion rather than simply pulling up the draw-bridge and calling out over the alligator-infested moat "I'll pray for you!".

And let me clarify, so I don't totally piss off my religious friends: if someone ASKS for your prayer and you tell them "I'll pray for you", that's something COMPLETELY different than what I'm talking about.  Just so we're clear.

"I'll pray for you."

To say this immediately AFTER actually engaging in a conversation?  Does the word "cowardly" do this phrase any justice?

Which conveniently sets up another of the "Worst of Religion" pet-peeves (this one might actually get me in trouble).  I hate people who hide behind their religion.  I hate people who hold up whatever religion it is that they subscribe to and claim that as an excuse for whatever it is they need an excuse for.  I hate people who further use religion as an excuse to not pursue their own intellectual maturation.

Today, it is my opinion that the phrase "I'll pray for you" is the product of the very worst of these kinds of people.  Clearly, our values differ!  You saying that you'll "pray" for me is nothing less than one final stabbing insult because once those four words are said--BAM--end of conversation.

Those four words tell me that your mind is completely closed off.  Those four words tell me that you've taken the blue pill and don't care how far the rabbit hole goes.  Those four words are the very definition of ignorance and ineptitude because once they're uttered, there simply is nothing more.

And without anything more, you're stuck in this exact moment for your entire life.  Never will you experience anything new or exciting or stimulating or happy or sad--you will never experience these things because you were never open to them in the first place because they never fit into the tiny construct of which your world exists.

"I'll pray for you."

I have some choice words as for what you can do with those prayers of yours, but instead, I'll leave you with this list of responses that I found when I googled that phrase:

- You are not praying hard enough. Pray harder because it's not working.

- "Oh, please don't! If there's anyone up there, I really don't want to draw his attention!"

- I wouldn't tell God what to do, if you know what's good for you....

- Thanks, but I think God is busy helping sports celebrities win important games right now.

- Thanks. And may Vishnu give you four thumbs up on his tenth descent!

- YUCK!! Get it off me! It buuuuuurrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnssssss!!" (And then I go wash.)

- Not necessary, but would you ask Him to spare 50,000 volts for Donald Trump's hair?

 


Comments

Brandon Walker

Fri, 01 May 2009 3:31:34 pm

Hey Krumbine,

This is Brandon. Just swung in to say "Hello". I'm off to spend about 5 day's in the woods by myself. A society detox, or douche if I may. Not much for trees around here so I'm sure you can understand that. Why, being in florida and all!! I've got to travel like 4 hours north in order to get to the forest, which is only 45 minutes from Canada. You have the Everglades? Meh, I'll take my chances with the bears! Saw your "Apoctoblog" video. I was thinking, I got a new camera 2 days ago, was thinking about taking that time up in the hills to maybe capture something that might fit into that whole realm of "Apoctoblogging".

Not sure. It's a thought though. Up, hiding in the forest as if it were Marshall Law and I've come to grips with the fact that i cant trust even myself. No family, no friends, that he can possibly think would still be alive. Hour upon repeating and restless hour b.walker* finds himself slipping further and further into insanity. Obsessing over the one thing that made him happy in the world, a girl, no, a woman. If I could only remember her name. Where was she? Was she okay? Was she too consumed by... Ah-hum... A world now unlike what he had ever imaged (fuck the media, fuck Hollywood). No zombies! No machines! No big explosions! Just nothing. Except...

Enjoy your day Krumbine. TTYL :)

Me, b.walker*

 

krumbine

Fri, 01 May 2009 3:34:50 pm

That sounds like a brilliant idea, Brandon ... and if you're going into the woods, bring your camera and make it happen! I know I'd be VERY interested in seeing what you cut together.

 

Ibrahim

Fri, 01 May 2009 5:07:24 pm

Oh come on Jordan, why the heck would I disagree with that? lulz!

If an individual subscribes to an ideology and CAN'T (or doesn't have the stones to) stand and defend it when it comes under fire, they're an idiot. We've talked about idiots before, haven't we?

I agree, it's a complete cop-out and a hellish cowardly thing to do. Plus, it adds that extra-pompous, holier-than-thou air of "I know so much more than you, so I'll just pray that you get guidance", which pisses me off more than I care to talk about here.

It's the ultimate tool of the egotistical narcissist who knows they're dead wrong or just plain fucking stupid, but their ego and self-adoration would not let them admit it, even to themselves. I want to impale folks like that and stick em on a slow-roasting fire, and I'm a fairly religious person myself. I can't even begin to imagine YOUR anguish.

;)


 

Denitson777

Fri, 01 May 2009 5:19:11 pm

re⋅li⋅gion:–noun 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
6. something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
7. religions, Archaic. religious rites.
8. Archaic. strict faithfulness; devotion: a religion to one's vow.

—Idiom9. get religion, Informal. a. to acquire a deep conviction of the validity of religious beliefs and practices.
b. to resolve to mend one's errant ways: The company got religion and stopped making dangerous products.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Origin:
1150–1200; ME religioun (< OF religion) < L religiōn- (s. of religiō) conscientiousness, piety, equiv. to relig(āre) to tie, fasten (re- re- + ligāre to bind, tie; cf. ligament ) + -iōn- -ion; cf. rely

Related forms:

re⋅li⋅gion⋅less,

 

krumbine

Fri, 01 May 2009 5:22:14 pm

@ibrahim: this actually sparked some interesting conversation OUTSIDE the interwebs! (much to my surprise!) And after another comment I received (it wasn't posted here) I was actually starting to question whether or not I was coming down to harsh on Jason.

Thank you for helping convince me that I'm not.

Okay, would you care to rewrite my entire post because your comment was so much more well-written <3

 

Denitson777

Fri, 01 May 2009 5:36:20 pm

The true way goes over a rope which is not stretched at any great height but just above the ground.It seems more designed to make people stumble than to be walked upon.

 

Denitson777

Fri, 01 May 2009 6:07:48 pm

Yeah,More Religious people that I Know,they really dont even know what are they talking about or why they are talking about that,they are like zombies,they dont even bother to question their "religion",maybe they are plain simple stupid or maybe the just dont wanna be out of their comfort zone.

Or just maybe people just want something to believe in,no matter what that is.

But this is beyond me,why would you want a Institution to basically think an sometimes act for you,Maybe it is more easy to obey than to think for yourself.

 

Tripp

Fri, 01 May 2009 6:30:49 pm

Yeah.

Some people can say it and it works, you know? And you know it when it happens. There's this lady at the church. She's 90 years old, buried two of her own kids, still lives alone and gives to charity. She's got nine different diseases and...well, you know these people. They pray. It matters that they pray. They are tuned in to some shit that the rest of us can only imagine. So, when Eloise says "I'll pray for you." I thank God because not the fucking cosmos will respond. Eloise has been there, done that, bought the tee shirt.

Then there are the slackers. "Hey. Wow. I'll pray for you." Cop out, don't get involved, pity the afflicted, cant get in the trenches....

Yeah. Breathe through that mess. Just don't toss the baby out with the bath water, you know?

Now I have to go and preach with the rabbi of the congregation who rents from my church. "Holy Riffing" he calls it. We'll let 'er rip! It should be fun.

 

Tripp

Fri, 01 May 2009 6:55:50 pm

not = now

And I owe you a better response, K. I do.

It's just...How do I say this? Faith is like anything else. We can hide behind it. I would say that then it ceases to be faith, but instead becomes an excuse. Just as you say. It blows. It's ridiculous. It's a cheap copy of itself. And it saddens me.

You are right.

So, what's to be done? What can we do? I'm serious. I am about to speak about religious purity and helping one's neighbor with a rabbi. We have to do something to shake people out of their usual trenches.

So, what can Krumbination do?

 

Little Shiela

Fri, 01 May 2009 7:02:28 pm

I had a religious friend who, after failing to convert me, resorted to the infamous "I'll pray for you". It's probably the most annoying thing anybody can say to you when used in that context. Anyway, my response is:

"Even if a thousand monkeys prayed on a thousand false gods they're not going to convert even one of me to anything but a parody religion. I'll THINK for you buddy!"

I think they get the better end of the deal seen as, being an aethiest, their "prays" are no use to me but my brain is still of great use to them apparently and if not than I do wish they'd stop trying to convert it.

 

denitson777

Fri, 01 May 2009 9:27:18 pm

i just hope krumbination doesnt turn into a religion

 

bell02

Sat, 02 May 2009 3:23:27 am

Lol, I guess you really weren't joking with your brother. lol

Well... I'll pray for you two.

(Well... On a more serious side, when a person says that to end an argument, what I think they really are saying is "I don't think there is anything left that I can say to you to change your opinion on your own, so 'I'll pray for you'" I know when it comes out it sounds condescending, but that's how I rationalize it and am able to keep my cool. But I'll usually say "I'll pray for you too," (If I can't keep my cool, lol) and you can see how if the person is ill intentioned in saying it, they'll sort of cringe like they are biting back their annoyance. It's hilarious (for me), but I guess really immature...

So maybe you should try that...

 

Tripp

Sat, 02 May 2009 7:42:40 am

Krumbination is a religion, a state of mind, a state of confusion, and a state of psychosis.

I love it.

All Hail! Krumbination.
Krummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

Ibrahim

Sat, 02 May 2009 7:58:06 am

@Krumbine
Oh? Enlighten me please! Who have you been blabbing to about my insanities, Jordan? If someone suddenly shows up at my condo and tries to beat me up, I'm coming for your ass. Well, I'm coming for your ass regardless, but I'll come armed with a 10-inch dildo in the former case.

Dammit.. You keep dangling the worm, and I keep going for it, hook, line and sinker..

Your compliment reminds me... I too have a blog, and I desperately need to update it more... I'm such a lazy ass. Thank you though. :)

 

soulofbass

Sat, 02 May 2009 11:32:42 pm

i like when prayer is used like a threat. like Ill pray for you so god will come and straighten you out. but if there is a god and if he does want to go straighten people out you might be in for a doozy :)

 

em

Sun, 03 May 2009 1:51:31 am

I don't think it's cowardly or necessarily has anything to do with religion. Many people just have a point where they are simply done with the conversation. They've checked out. They don't want to or don't have anything more to invest in it at the moment. And there are several ways people disengage, but for the religious person they might say the, "I'll pray for you." It's like agreeing to disagree, but they hope you'll come around to seeing things their way--as we all do. By wishing the religious person to have a more "open mind" we ourselves are hoping for them to come around to our way of seeing whatever it is. So it's human, natural, and something most people do, religious or not.

 

novanine

Sun, 03 May 2009 7:00:25 am

Yeah, I would find it quite offensive if a religous person said that to me by way of concluding a conversation/argument about religion. If I were in a good mood I think I'd just respond wit,
"please don't"
In a bad mood, I'd probably say,
"well I'll blaspheme for you then".
Petty, I know, but then so is religion (often).

 



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