Tulsa's Great Disqualifier

[aoxamaxoa]

Nonstop prayers for city, state
By BILL SHERMAN World Religion Writer
1/5/2007 http://www.tulsaworld.com/NewsStory.asp?ID=070105_Ne_A1_Nonst6011

Does this story about "Kooks" really rate front page coverage?  And what does "cross denominational" refer to? Certainly not other religions. "Cross" must be the icon and not the adjective.

You religous nuts (which cause great harm to our cities image) are now free to board....

[snopes]

So because it's religious prayer rather than the secular type, or "orgasmic" method of chanting it's bad? What's bad about praying for healing and mercy and other such things?

[rwarn17588]

I don't have a problem with it, either.

It certainly couldn't hurt.

[Artiem]

This topic could get interesting

Let me preface this by saying I'm a journalist, and an agnostic. That said, here's my take...

First, it's not a "hard" news story, and I wouldn't run it as my top story (talking broadcast here) but it's a legit story -- because it reflects the community we live in, like it or not

Do I believe the way these people do? Guess not, but that doesn't make them wrong necessarily, and as a journalist it's just simply not my job to make that call. If something's happening, and it interests/affects a sizeable percentage of my audience, then it's a legit story.

As for the wording... "Denomination" reflects a certain slant on Christianity. I've never heard other religions referred to as "denominations."

Finally -- I'm not sure how the fundamentalist Christian bent prevalent in the area necessarily "harms" our city's image. Are you worried about Tulsa being perceived as backwards? Narrow-minded? I'm just curious, really. IMHO there are certainly things that concern me a hell of a lot more -- like our sky-high rates of poverty, illiteracy, teen pregnancy, meth abuse, etc etc etc

[NellieBly]

Another example of the wonderful writings of Sherman is his inexplicable story about Tony Alamo a couple of weeks ago. He never spoke to anyone other than Alamo (who is a complete crack pot) Why even bother giving this guy press....OH wait. He bought a full page ad in The Whirled. They have to make money somehow, I guess.

[jdb]

Tony in the Whirled, almost makes me want to see that edition, but then I'd have to touch it.

Nah, jdb

[aoxamaxoa]

"As for the wording... "Denomination" reflects a certain slant on Christianity. I've never heard other religions referred to as "denominations."

When we speak of tolerance, we speak of the involvement of all denominations. Those outside of the "christian" sects seem to be the most generous in our community. Those generous and somewhat annonymous ones generate a lot more good for our community than the one's sitting around praying. Action vs. inaction?

Prayer left in the church and the homes suits me fine. Bring it into the open and it serves to alienate rather than unify the community. And the impression from the rest of the world remains backwoods...

[Rico]

Saw a release of personalities that have booked our own Crystal Cathedral in advance of it's completion.... and an abbreviated list of the theme for each appearance.

1. Jimmy Swaggart.. "The Temptations of the Soul"

2. Robert Schuller.. "People That Live in Glass Houses"

3. Jim Baker..
..a double feature..

"Revelations of Christian Development Gone Awry"

"Be Careful What You Build for They Will Gather Near the Faithful City"

and last but not least...

4. Richard Roberts "Tulsa Centennial Revival"


Oh well.... back to the subject.. Ax man the World will Publish (for no good reason) whatever they wish as long as they hold the monopoly on news for Tulsa...

As long as anyone expects anything different.. they will be disappointed.


[}:)]

[rhymnrzn]

Prayer is the sacrifice of our lips, a daily sacrifice of praise to the LORD.

This Psalm comes to mind:


Psalm 50:1

"The mighty God, even the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. (v.2) Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined. (v.3) Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. (v.4) He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. (v.5) Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. (v.6) And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. (v.7) Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God. (v. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. (v.9) I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds. (v.10) For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. (v.11) I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. (v.12) If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. (v.13) Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? (v.14) Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: (v.15) And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (v.16) But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? (v.17) Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. (v.18) When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. (v.19) Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. (v.20) Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son. (v.21) These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. (v.22) Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. (v.23) Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God."

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa



Those outside of the "christian" sects seem to be the most generous in our community. Those generous and somewhat annonymous ones generate a lot more good for our community than the one's sitting around praying. Action vs. inaction?

Yeah, organizing prayer groups and praying for Tulsa is a whole lot cheaper and easier than actually doing something constructive or spending money on secular stuff. No wonder it appeals to so many.

I started a thread about Tulsa dying awhile back. It should have asked, "Is the takeover complete?"

[aoxamaxoa]

Hallelujah......pass the mustard.

There will be no takeover. Instead, there will be ignorance.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa

Hallelujah......pass the mustard.

There will be no takeover. Instead, there will be ignorance.

Ignorance we've always had. Everywhere. And education may be overated. Educate a racist and what do you have? David Duke? I'm afraid its more than that. Enlightenment, however that is gained, is what we lack. A failure by different classes to understand and appreciate each others contributions. Higher education has served to increase the disparity of income further alienating groups from each other. Education has become the way to make more money. Period.

Did you hear the lady in Michigan extoll the virtues of president Ford's, "solid mid-western values" the other day? As though the rest of us are suspect? This myopia that religiousity, regionalism, classism engenders is screwing us all.

Hmmm. Feeling rather cynical right now i guess.

[TheArtist]

As someone else has pointed out on here.  Whats up with this strange coincidence of such high fundamentalist religiosity, usually mixed with a high dose of superstitious and supernatural flavoring,,, and the high rates of poor, hungry, drug abuse, divorce, teen pregnancy, crime,homicide, etc. etc.?

Shouldn't it be that if there is such a high concentration of religious, good, church going, praying, people in the area that those sins would be less than in other areas not greater?

[aoxamaxoa]

A decent read from a fellow Okie....

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070122/moyers

"The leaders and thinkers and activists who honestly tell that story and speak passionately of the moral and religious values it puts in play will be the first political generation since the New Deal to win power back for the people. "

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by aoxamaxoa

A decent read from a fellow Okie....

http://www.thenation.com/doc/20070122/moyers

"The leaders and thinkers and activists who honestly tell that story and speak passionately of the moral and religious values it puts in play will be the first political generation since the New Deal to win power back for the people. "

Wow! That makes me proud to think he spent formative years here. Thanks for the link. Every member should read that in its entirety and with a non partisan attitude.

"The conservative movement stands intellectually and morally bankrupt while Democrats talk about a "new direction" without convincing us they know the difference between a weather vane and a compass. The right story will set our course for a generation to come."

We have an obligation to tell that story.