Comments on: Magic Spell Jesus

By: Alice Baum

Alice Baum — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:22:14 +0000

And to think I believed this way for many years...what the hell was I thinking? The answer is I wasn't thinking. I just being like all the other lemmings who have fallen for this kind of tripe.

By: velkyn

velkyn — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 13:50:35 +0000

Any kind of prayer is like this more, shall we say, theatrical nonsense. I've asked so many Christians just what they think they are getting when praying. I mean, do they think they are reminding God to do something? are they commanding God to do something? Most just ignore the question. I've only had one that said "It makes me feel better." At least they were somewhat honest.

oh, and many kudos for the D&D references :)

By: Christopher

Christopher — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 02:15:50 +0000

I know that most of you find this funny (and typically I would too), but mos tof my family buys into this bullshit - and it's no laughing matter when the "spells" cast go unfulfilled: my parents even got divorced over this when I was a kid! Magical thinking, especially when taken to he extreme, can really fuck your life up.

By: mikespeir

mikespeir — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 22:00:26 +0000

Alas, Aspentroll, being a fundy he's probably also opposed to the lottery on the grounds that it's gambling.

By: Aspentroll

Aspentroll — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 20:53:40 +0000

I should get my fundie neighbor to use this spell to win the
local lotery. Then we could split it and live happily ever after.
I could use a new Mercedes, a nice black one would go well with
the black sweat suit I'm wearing. I know he wouldn't mind
doing this for me. He firmly believes that he should "love his
neighbor".

By: DamienSansBlog

DamienSansBlog — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 19:19:09 +0000

You just didn't have enough faith, KShep. Or maybe you didn't have enough people praying with you. Or maybe God answered your prayer in a way incomprehensible to the mortal mind.

Whatever you do, don't stop praying! As a matter of fact, I...I feel the Spirit coming upon me...I prophecy that President Bush will be cast out of the White House before January 21st, 2009! So, you see, KShep? Your prayers will be answered!

By: KShep

KShep — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:26:41 +0000

I gave it a try yesterday....no luck. Bush still president.

By: The Ridger

The Ridger — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:48:45 +0000

This reminds me of something in a book I was reading this week on the power of prayer. The narrator was remembering a police sergeant who "prayed for the whole city" every time she went on duty, "and the city had never had a murder during her shift".

I couldn't help thinking why didn't this powerfully pious sergeant pray for the city a bit more often, and also picturing God watching a clock - Okay, Sgt Jones is off duty: murders commence!

By: goyo

goyo — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:40:26 +0000

Excellent post and comments.
I also have participated in "magic ceremonies" in various churches. I remember one of my friends laying hands on a coke machine, trying to cast out satan, because it wouldn't give him his coke.
I was watching a protestant religious show last weekend called "Camp Meeting". There was a guest evangelist from Dallas who was selling Jewish Talits, claiming that if the person praying would wrap themselves in the talit, they would be protected from the minions of demons that continually plague the believer's connection to god, hence, better answers to prayer. Of course, he had testimonies, etc,...
It seems that if you can participate physically, and touch something, you are just in better connection with your deity.

By: TEP

TEP — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 06:56:52 +0000

The really amusing thing about this is that they're breaking the third commandment - 'do not take the Lord's name in vain'. The original meaning of this commandment came from the widespread superstition that knowing somebody's true name gave you power over them, and the ability to command them. This idea was best exemplified in the myth in which Isis poisoned Ra, and refused to cure him unless he told her his true name, which gave her the power to banish him to the sky and let Osiris rule in his place. Because of this belief, it was common at the time to use the names of deities as a means of casting spells - by using their name, the deity would be compelled to create whatever effect the spellcaster wished. The third commandment was specifically created to counter this practice, because allowing it would not be terribly good for Yahweh's image - after all, what sort of omnipotent being can be bossed around by mortals? So by engaging in this magic, these Christians are blaspheming Jesus by attempting to use his name to command him.