Is it right to refuse prayer?

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

I think context is important in examining Aquila's statement ....

having read ... Aquila's and Miss B's discussion ... I see that Aquila in one of his political rants made it clear that in our circles if one is a Democrat one is not "saved" or is "backslidden" ...

He's absolutely right ... let's be honest here. It's a myth perpetuated in our circles.

Furthermore ... the offer by Miss B for prayer seemed to be centered around equating Aquila's political statements with spirituality or the lack thereof.... she even suggested that she has been in need of prayer when she felt "far away from God".

It's pretty clear that Aquila in his huff ... would perceive this to be a jab ... fairly or unfairly ... hence in this context he does not want her prayers ...

and I think it's justified.

Thank you for your honesty.

You'll never know how much hate filled rhetoric and insults I face every election cycle because I'm not a right wing conservative. I'm a political moderate who leans liberal on some things....and I get treated like absolute dirt if I so much as breathe a word of concern for the unintended effects of right wing policy.

After last Wednesday at Church I came to an epiphany....the institutional Apostolic churches (at least those that I'm familiar with) are nothing but right wing political action committees. Something in me snapped....I realized that I can no longer identify myself with the church...because the church hates people like me. People who believe in universal health insurance are, "Godless socialists", I heard it with my own ears. They don't even care why I believe it may be necessary. Most don't even know that I lost my mother last year....and had she had health insurance, she might have caught her heart condition before it killed her.

Here was another statement I heard....the pastor said, "I'm not going to tell you how to vote...but I will tell you this. There's one party that's on God's side....and another party that's FOR abortion, homosexuality, socialism, and everything Satanic...." Gee....I'm glad he didn't tell me who to vote for. The man thinks I'm stupid.

I just disagree. I think abortion and homosexuality are issues that are outside of the government's capability to properly address. The government can't do very much with those issues. They have always pleagued society and frankly, always will. I think that socialism is wrong...but a mixed economy is necessary. But hey...I'm a Godless socialist....who cares what I think or why I think it.

My wife and I are seriously discussing not going back again. We sat there feeling brow beaten and misrepresented for over an hour. We're considering either dropping church all together or visiting an Episcopal church (My wife's uncle is an Episcopal priest and has offered to help us find a loving community of faith.).