Wise words from Roger Ebert on the nature of public and private prayer

[yendi]

I grew up in an America where people of good breeding did not impose their religious convictions upon those they did not know very well. Now those manners have been discarded. Click on the link for the full article.

Comments

[newbabel.livejournal.com]

That was awesome. Thanks for posting the link.

[blueingenue.livejournal.com]

Bravo.

[vill.livejournal.com]

That's aweosome. I especially like vertical vs. horizontal prayer.

That goes on the list of things I'd wish I'd written. Thanks for linking.

[hotcoffeems.livejournal.com]

Wonderfully eloquent commentary. Thank you.

[yendi]

That's aweosome. I especially like vertical vs. horizontal prayer.

*nod* it's a concept that gels things nearly perfectly for me.

[yendi]

Wonderfully eloquent commentary

One of the reasons I adore Ebert is that he actually thinks about the society in which he lives. This gives him a leg up on reviewers who think their job is limited to the film on the screen. He recognizes the importance of the social context of the films, and also speaks eloquently about the issues of the day. Lisa Schwartzbaum is starting to develop this sense, but few other critics even bother.

[raptorgirl.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I always feel awkward praying out loud, in public. It just feels showy and pointless. I think Ebert put it well.

[xforge.livejournal.com]

My beliefs are far from conventional (ask Penguinboi) and I almost never quote scripture but this is the one I like to toss out when people start talking about praying out loud. People should always have the right to do what they want but this is what The Man Himself said about it. Most of the Teevee Religious Dudes can't seem to remember this one for some reason:

(Matthew 6:5-18 NKJV) "And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. {6} "But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. {7} "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. {8} "Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him."