Comments on: Religious Tourette’s

By: Thad White

Thad White — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:18:32 +0000

I enjoy reading the feed back this post has generated. That being said I’ll respond to Quo’s question:
Yes I would actually like to have them look at me while I’m praying. Here’s why: In a church setting most of the distractions are mental. People thinking about lunch time or the argument from last night, how much should I give in the offering, or should I give in the offering, the list of mental distractions goes on and on. As a communicator I know that when I have their eyes I have their attention. While praying I rarely close my eyes especially when I’m on stage. If people would engage with me eyes open and agree with me for what ever the prayer subject may be, instead of the “distraction of the material world” winning attention time faith would be strengthened, because their engaged and in tune with whats going on. I’m not suggesting that this is a cure-all solution, it’s just my observation.

I’ll leave you with this thought:
Just because it’s traditional doesn’t make it right.

By: penguin

penguin — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 05:58:11 +0000

I agree with the last comment however the Pentecost religion is anything but traditional

By: QuoVadis

QuoVadis — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 23:25:28 +0000

What exactly do you want them to do? Look at you while they pray? Look at each other? Look at the ceiling?

We close our eyes to minimize the distractions of the material world & focus on the spiritual.

We bow our heads as a gesture of humility towards the Almighty.

I agree that it would be better if they understood why they are doing it, but to stop doing it because they don’t understand it is not the answer either.

This traditional posture of prayer has meaning and purpose – ie. it is useful as well as reverent. It’s worth keeping.