Last night MathMan and I watched Real Time with Bill Mahr (who irritated me to no end when he advocated for the busting of teachers' unions, but that's for another time). Sarah Silverman was a guest on Real Time. Silverman, a popular Jewish comedienne, joked that it doesn't matter that she doesn't believe in god, she's still culturally Jewish. As she explained her statement she used the phrase "I wouldn't rule it out, though." She meant she wouldn't rule out the possibility of god's existence.
Well, I guess that pretty much explains my position on god. I won't tell you how I feel about religion - a completely separate issue - but I remember even in my earlier non-believer days being awed by the fact that people believed enough in something to erect those massive temples and cathedrals in which to worship and honor their god(s).
Well, now I need those of you who believe to do me a favor. I do not pray. Oh, sure, I can keep a good thought and I'm aces at worry and concern. But I don't have anyone or anything on whom I can call to ask for help when I or someone I care about needs it. I know. I know. Why can't I believe? What's wrong with me that I can't have faith? I have no answers for those questions, but I can tell you that in most situations, I don't feel a void. I just accept what is and carry on.
In this case, though, I'm part of a community and I feel it's my duty to honor the community spirit by participating in a moment of silence/prayer at noon today.
You see, a friend and her husband and the man who was driving their taxi on the way to the airport in Mayapur, India were injured in a car crash. Braja, who some of you might recognize as a commenter here, and her husband are in the hospital being treated for serious injuries. As word got out among the blogging community, lisa has made the wonderful suggestion that we all pull together for a moment at noon today (March 14) to pray for Braja and her husband and driver.
That's where you come in, my friends who pray. I need you and your power of prayer that I won't concede to, but I won't dismiss either. Please. And I'll be pausing to think my good thoughts and participate in what I hope is a moment of unexplainable magic that will send the healing strength of many far flung wishes and prayers from around the globe to that hospital in India where Braja recovers.
Thanks, gang, for indulging my request.
