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GEORGIA'S WATER CRISIS: Putting faith in call for rain (Atheists are protesting)
Atlanta Journal Constitution ^ | Nov 13, 2007 | Bo Emerson

Posted on 11/13/2007 5:41:51 AM PST by RDTF

Service today gathers religious, political leaders to pray for precipitation, but not everyone buys into it.

-snip-

"This is a ridiculous, illogical exercise even for people who are deeply religious," said Ed Buckner, treasurer for the Atlanta Freethought Society. "I would think they'd be offended."

Buckner, an atheist, is helping plan a "polite and peaceful protest" on the Capitol grounds today, and expects members of both the Council on Secular Humanism and Freedom From Religion Foundation to attend. He objects to the governor, in his official capacity as an elected representative, endorsing a belief system.

He also thinks God, if there is one, already knows we want rain.

"Does the God that Sonny Perdue believes in have to be informed about the drought?" Buckner asked. "Doesn't he know? Or have the important people not appealed to him yet?"

Perdue has invited representatives from a variety of faiths —- Christian, Jewish, Muslim and Hindu —- to participate in today's vigil.

(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events; US: Georgia
KEYWORDS: atheist; pray

1 posted on 11/13/2007 5:41:52 AM PST by RDTF
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To: RDTF

The polytheists usually have better luck at that sort of thing. Rain-dances and such.


2 posted on 11/13/2007 5:43:57 AM PST by AU72
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To: RDTF
Atlanta Freethought Society

Unless your "freethought" is believing in God.

3 posted on 11/13/2007 5:45:40 AM PST by KJC1
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To: RDTF

If I recall Patton summonsed the local Christian padre and had him pray for rain before one of his troop movements. At least in the movie.......


4 posted on 11/13/2007 5:46:49 AM PST by festus (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: KJC1

“Atlanta Freethought Society” — Thats a codeword meaning Unitarians.


5 posted on 11/13/2007 5:47:39 AM PST by festus (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: RDTF

I’m sure if the atheists have a better idea (than prayer) the Governor would be all ears....


6 posted on 11/13/2007 5:48:24 AM PST by Vor Lady (Objects in vehicle are better armed than they appear...)
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To: RDTF
"This is a ridiculous, illogical exercise even for people who are deeply religious," said Ed Buckner, treasurer for the Atlanta Freethought Society. "I would think they'd be offended."

Actually, ATHEISM is illogical. Or rather, atheism is a remarkable piece of cognitive dissonance.

7 posted on 11/13/2007 5:50:26 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Conservatives - Freedom WITH responsibility; Libertarians - Freedom FROM responsibility)
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To: RDTF

Good for the governor. Of course God knows the situation, but He likes us to ask Him personally sometimes. Not only that, but an exercise in faith, publically, takes character and humility. Both are good for the soul.


8 posted on 11/13/2007 5:50:59 AM PST by Shery (in APO Land)
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To: festus
If I recall Patton summonsed the local Christian padre and had him pray for rain before one of his troop movements.

Actually it was clearing from a winter storm so air superiority could be put to use. Patton had the chaplain up for a medal for his connections 'upstairs'.

9 posted on 11/13/2007 5:51:50 AM PST by AU72
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To: KJC1
Atlanta Freethought Society

That's what's ironic about "freethought". It is usually not "free", and it is almost always not "thought".

10 posted on 11/13/2007 5:51:58 AM PST by Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus (Conservatives - Freedom WITH responsibility; Libertarians - Freedom FROM responsibility)
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To: Vor Lady

This is usually what happens. Someone comes up with a possible solution and there is someone else in the crowd who just whines and moans — offers no alternative whatsoever.

The atheists don’t have to pray. No one is forcing them to do so.


11 posted on 11/13/2007 5:54:40 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: RDTF

“I’ve got a head full of ideas that are driving me insane!”


12 posted on 11/13/2007 5:57:41 AM PST by Ozone34
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To: Shery
. . . “God knows the situation, but He likes us to ask Him personally sometimes. Not only that, but an exercise in faith, publically, takes character and humility. Both are good for the soul.”

Yes, that’s right. Thank you.

God uses prayer. God teaches prayer in his Word. He had his prophets pray both ways — to stop the rain, and then call for rain. Jehovah God can do anything He wills, with or without prayer, but he has ordained prayer as the way for His people in every age to approach Him, as a father wants his children to approach him with their needs, desires, hurts, cares, disappointments, joys — with Thanksgiving and praise — and with intercession for the needs of others.

13 posted on 11/13/2007 6:04:27 AM PST by John Leland 1789
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To: RDTF

A town in Texas called for a season of prayer for their drought. Weeks of rain followed. ;-)


14 posted on 11/13/2007 6:07:49 AM PST by kimmie7 (Thompson.)
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To: RDTF

Thta’s like holding a protest against Leprechauns. If you really don’t believe they exist, then what is the sense in protesting.


15 posted on 11/13/2007 6:09:54 AM PST by Anitius Severinus Boethius
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To: RDTF
Buckner, an atheist, is helping plan a "polite and peaceful protest" on the Capitol grounds today, and expects members of both the Council on Secular Humanism and Freedom From Religion Foundation to attend. He objects to the governor, in his official capacity as an elected representative, endorsing a belief system.

I hope that they brought in their own water. I wouldn't even let them use a public toilet.

16 posted on 11/13/2007 6:10:53 AM PST by meyer (Illegal Immigration - The profits are privatized, the costs are socialized.)
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To: fatnotlazy

Based on weather reports...I’d guess that the Feds will be forced to step in within three weeks. Somebody...is going to have to lay alot of pipe in a hurry...probably from several different rivers throughout the southeast...and fill up a couple of reservoirs. The cost? I’m betting on $10 billion easily...and we ought to be looking at pipe laying companies and pipe manufacturers to make huge cash over this...and invest now into these.


17 posted on 11/13/2007 6:11:30 AM PST by pepsionice
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To: meyer

I hope that they brought in their own water. I wouldn’t even let them use a public toilet.

***

And look at all the water that would be saved! :)


18 posted on 11/13/2007 6:15:33 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: pepsionice

Alas, that is usually what happens. Someone’s misfortune is someone else’s fortune. But when there is a disaster, you’re pretty much stuck. Not much that can be done.

The atheists can whine and moan. I’ll pray for relief for my suffering friends in the drought.


19 posted on 11/13/2007 6:19:05 AM PST by fatnotlazy
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To: RDTF

OH NOOOOO PRAYERSSSSS

Sheesh, what is it hurting. As the religious leaders pointed out, noone is being forced to pray.

I wish I could drive to Atlanta (not too far, but too far and I will miss my route this afternoon) to go up and hold blankets up in front of these nimrods who can’t stand to hear prayer.


20 posted on 11/13/2007 6:20:38 AM PST by Southerngl
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To: RDTF
Speaking of praying for rain and the opposition thereto, check out a humorous (but good) retelling of Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, 1 Kings 18:1-4

http://www.whitestonejournal.com/1kings18.html

Go for it, Gov. Perdue!

21 posted on 11/13/2007 6:22:09 AM PST by BwanaNdege (For those who have fought for it, Life bears a savor the protected will never know.)
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To: RDTF
"This is a ridiculous, illogical exercise even for people who are deeply religious," said Ed Buckner, treasurer for the Atlanta Freethought Society. "I would think they'd be offended."

Buckner, an atheist, is helping plan a "polite and peaceful protest" on the Capitol grounds today. However, just to be on the safe side, he invited a Chippewa Indian Medicine Man to do a Rain Dance after the protest."

STOO-PID atheist mocking - off

22 posted on 11/13/2007 6:41:52 AM PST by Condor51 (Rudy makes John Kerry look like a Right Wing 'Gun Nut' Extremist)
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To: AU72
The polytheists usually have better luck at that sort of thing. Rain-dances and such.

There is an account of the Pilgrims facing an awful dry spell during their first summer in Plimoth. They called for a day of atonement and prayer for rain. They met early in the morning and kept it up all day; in the late afternoon it began to rain...

It's detailed in the book about Plimoth Colony by William Bradford.

23 posted on 11/13/2007 6:49:39 AM PST by Red Boots
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To: RDTF
Buckner, an atheist, is helping plan a "polite and peaceful protest" on the Capitol grounds today, and expects members of both the Council on Secular Humanism and Freedom From Religion Foundation to attend. He objects to the governor, in his official capacity as an elected representative, endorsing a belief system.

He also thinks God, if there is one, already knows we want rain.

Seriesly, the "smartest" athesist in Georgia, is actually an agnostic.

Just wow. And the "geeenyus" author never caught it.

24 posted on 11/13/2007 6:56:16 AM PST by IllumiNaughtyByNature (... give me a moment, I'm thinking (just to flaunt it in front of the lurking liberals))
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To: RDTF

If, as the athiests believe, there is no God, then what harm can be wrought be praying to someone or something that doesn’t even exist?


25 posted on 11/13/2007 7:03:16 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (Ron Paul put the cuckoo in my Cocoa Puffs)
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To: festus
If I recall Patton summonsed the local Christian padre and had him pray for rain before one of his troop movements. At least in the movie.......

In real life, too. I remember reading an article written by that very priest about the incident.

26 posted on 11/13/2007 7:12:43 AM PST by Dunstan McShane
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To: RDTF
"This is a ridiculous, illogical exercise even for people who
are deeply religious," said Ed Buckner, treasurer for the
Atlanta Freethought Society.
"I would think they'd be offended."


"Freethought Society"?
Sounds more like a group hoping for less freedom of thought for
some of their fellow citizens!
(Which is probably a futile exercise in many cases)
27 posted on 11/13/2007 7:18:04 AM PST by VOA
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To: pepsionice
I read once that the water in the great lakes is enough to supply the entire nation at current usage rates for as far ahead as the mind can imagine.

Spend the money to lay the pipe to 20-30 regional collection points and fill them up and when the drought hits open the valve.

28 posted on 11/13/2007 7:43:06 AM PST by aroundabout
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To: RDTF

Atlanta Freethought Society

Isn’t that oxymoronic?

I mean, what could they agree on?


29 posted on 11/13/2007 8:12:13 AM PST by Old Professer (The critic writes with rapier pen, dips it twice, and writes again.)
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To: RDTF

Reminds me of Elijah and the prohets of Baal.


30 posted on 11/13/2007 8:29:12 AM PST by LastBoyScout80
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To: Dunstan McShane; festus

http://www.pattonhq.com/prayer.html


31 posted on 11/13/2007 10:28:44 AM PST by VOA
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To: Ozone34
“I’ve got a head full of ideas that are driving me insane!”

One of the voices in my head stutters. Drives me nuts. He's always saying, "Kk k ki kill y y yo you your fa fa fami..." And I'm always saying, "WRITE IT DOWN MAN!"
32 posted on 11/13/2007 11:03:05 AM PST by Jaysun (It's outlandishly inappropriate to suggest that I'm wrong.)
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To: VOA

Thanks for that link. It was a great read.


33 posted on 11/13/2007 5:46:39 PM PST by festus (Fred Thompson '08)
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To: RDTF
IT RAINED.

Not much, but enough to kinda say "yeah, I heard you, and yes, I'm in control - you're not getting more quite yet."

34 posted on 11/14/2007 5:02:39 AM PST by ctdonath2 (The color blue tastes like the square root of 0?)
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To: ctdonath2

Tonight’s Atlanta forecast: 60% chance of rain, thundershowers.

Ya’ think somewhere in there we ought to think about repentance before we ask for more rain? Just a wild & crazy idea.


35 posted on 11/14/2007 5:52:18 AM PST by BwanaNdege (For those who have fought for it, Life bears a savor the protected will never know.)
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