sher@rochester.UUCP (06/20/83)
From: David.Sher This should be of interest to some (especially monotheists). When I was young I was interested in what was the appropriate form for prayer. I was not satisfied with the methods that were available. Most of the prescribed methods involved getting together with alot of people I disliked and chanting incomprehensible words. Anyway I came to several conclusions: a) prayers that request things should be made only when there is nothing you could do to acheive your goal. This has to do with the fact that God gave us brains to solve our own problems. b) prayers should be in response to some real event. I feel that God is uninterested in ritual activities. (I am probably wrong but ...) c) prayers of thanks to God are always acceptable. After all whatever you experienced could not have been experienced if God had not created the world in the first place. So as I implement these principles, whenever I see something pleasant or beautiful (such as a girl, a blade of grass, or just about anything when I am in the right mood) I pray to God thank him for creating this beauty and allowing me to appreciate it. I find this increases my appreciation of it. I pray for two other things, One is for the safety and happiness of my friends when they are far away and might have some trouble. The other is for strength or insight to solve my own problems. Be happy, -David the blasphemer Sher