Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Megusic · 02-10-2003, 12:28 AM

Recently one of my protestant friends was telling me about how silly he thinks it is that Catholics pray to Saints, instead of just Jesus/God. Growing up, most of my friends were Cath. and I never really thought it was that strange (outside of the fact that they were praying at all...). However, the other day I witnessed a very comical scene involving this, so I'm sharing it now:

It was one of my friends from high school's 21st birthday, so a bunch of us got together, including some of her sorrority sisters...
In the morning, my friend realized that she had lost her keys somewhere in the apartment, so we ransacked the place. the following conversation took place:

Sor. Sister: This may sound silly, but have you ever prayed to saint anthony when you lost something?
My Friend: Yes!! and then i find what I'm looking for!!
Jewish Sor. Sister: Who is Saint Anthony
My Friend: He is the saint of missing things...
-we continue searching apartment, about 10-15 minutes later she finds the keys in her purse-
My Friend: Oh my God!!!! I just started looking in the purse and I prayed to St. Anthony and then I found the keys!!! See, it works!!!!
Jewish Sis: Wow, you guys are so lucky to have that saint! like, we totally don't have anything like that! i'm jealous!

I just don't get the way these people think!! I mean, there are probably mothers all over praying to st. anthony to find their missing children, but of course he'd rather help my friend find the keys to her suv.

Ronin · 02-10-2003, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Sor. Sister: This may sound silly...

The legal disclaimer of all religions...ROFL!!

abe smith · 02-10-2003, 07:25 AM

I hate to admit this. And Isaac Azimof 's explanation of random
coincidence "of course" takes care of the matter; but....
I have addressed an occasional request to Anthony, of Padua; and then found the generally-trivial-after-all lost item.
I cite this personal experience, not to make any kind of case; but merely to insert these data into the discussion.
The Italian rhyme translates to
"Tony Tony rally round.
Something's lost & can't be found." Legend says the original was an old woman & her pig. Of course in a closed universe nothing is ever *lost*, except it be annihilated including obliterated from physical record. Perhaps paleontologists shd pray to St Anthony.

Thieving Magpie · 02-10-2003, 04:25 PM

Yes... it is funny how other people are 'stupider' than us.

SanDiegoAtheist · 02-10-2003, 05:17 PM

Isn't it roughly the same as saying that you always find the thing in the last place that you look?

I mean, I lose things every now and then, haven't ever prayed to St. Anthony in my life, and generally eventually find the thing again - after, of course, making some effort to locate said thing.

A believer, losing things, starts praying to St. Anthony, and generally eventually finds that thing again - oddly enough though, after making some effort to locate said thing above and beyond muttering words to a dead guy under their breath.

Wow, I'm utterly amazed at the fact that a 'lost' item can be found after praying to a dead man. Actually, I'd be MORE impressed if there was a Saint of "Never finding things again" and anytime you prayed to him for help finding something you'd NEVER find it again. OK, so admittedly, he'd not be a very useful saint (St. Alzheimers?), but at least he'd be able to do something that I wouldn't be able to do (an still be honest with myself) until I'm fairly well into senility.

A REAL Saint Anthony should be able to *poof* the looked-for object right into your hand after the prayer...now THAT'D be helpful.

Odds are, unless something is stolen, if you look, you are eventually going to find anything 'lost'. Saint or not. Some people really need to get a clue about causality, and what does NOT constitute it.

Cheers,

The San Diego Atheist

Aerik Von · 02-10-2003, 05:19 PM

Here is the logic of it according to my fiance who is somewhat of a Russian Orthodox Christian variety:

"If you believe in an afterbeing in which they exist, why would you not turn to them for wisdom and insight? It's not like we WORSHIP them, we just look to them for guidance as an afterlife would obviously mean they still exist."

It's not such a hard concept, though I still find it silly.

beyelzu · 02-10-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ronin
The legal disclaimer of all religions...ROFL!!

:notworthy :notworthy :notworthy :notworthy

I dont think its the official disclaimer, but maybe it should be the surgeon generals warning on all bibles.

Amie · 02-10-2003, 06:55 PM

We do pray to God.
Regarding intercessory prayer, we Catholics don't pray *to* the saints, we pray *through* the saints. A little bit of spiritual backup so to speak...

Megusic your protestant friend was wrong.

Ronin · 02-10-2003, 11:10 PM

Fond childhood memories of Dungeons and Dragons...thanks, Amie!

PS ~ I miss my friend Cthulhu.

Ronin · 02-10-2003, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Yes... it is funny how other people are 'stupider' than us.

Don't shoot the messenger.

02-10-2003, 12:28 AM	#1
Megusic Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: OH Posts: 1,292	Praying to the Saints? Recently one of my protestant friends was telling me about how silly he thinks it is that Catholics pray to Saints, instead of just Jesus/God. Growing up, most of my friends were Cath. and I never really thought it was that strange (outside of the fact that they were praying at all...). However, the other day I witnessed a very comical scene involving this, so I'm sharing it now: It was one of my friends from high school's 21st birthday, so a bunch of us got together, including some of her sorrority sisters... In the morning, my friend realized that she had lost her keys somewhere in the apartment, so we ransacked the place. the following conversation took place: Sor. Sister: This may sound silly, but have you ever prayed to saint anthony when you lost something? My Friend: Yes!! and then i find what I'm looking for!! Jewish Sor. Sister: Who is Saint Anthony My Friend: He is the saint of missing things... -we continue searching apartment, about 10-15 minutes later she finds the keys in her purse- My Friend: Oh my God!!!! I just started looking in the purse and I prayed to St. Anthony and then I found the keys!!! See, it works!!!! Jewish Sis: Wow, you guys are so lucky to have that saint! like, we totally don't have anything like that! i'm jealous! I just don't get the way these people think!! I mean, there are probably mothers all over praying to st. anthony to find their missing children, but of course he'd rather help my friend find the keys to her suv.

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02-10-2003, 07:25 AM	#3
abe smith Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: springfield, MA. USA Posts: 2,482	I hate to admit this. And Isaac Azimof 's explanation of random coincidence "of course" takes care of the matter; but.... I have addressed an occasional request to Anthony, of Padua; and then found the generally-trivial-after-all lost item. I cite this personal experience, not to make any kind of case; but merely to insert these data into the discussion. The Italian rhyme translates to "Tony Tony rally round. Something's lost & can't be found." Legend says the original was an old woman & her pig. Of course in a closed universe nothing is ever lost, except it be annihilated including obliterated from physical record. Perhaps paleontologists shd pray to St Anthony.

02-10-2003, 04:25 PM	#4
Thieving Magpie Regular Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 253	Yes... it is funny how other people are 'stupider' than us.

02-10-2003, 05:17 PM	#5
SanDiegoAtheist Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: San Diego, CA, USA Posts: 281	Isn't it roughly the same as saying that you always find the thing in the last place that you look? I mean, I lose things every now and then, haven't ever prayed to St. Anthony in my life, and generally eventually find the thing again - after, of course, making some effort to locate said thing. A believer, losing things, starts praying to St. Anthony, and generally eventually finds that thing again - oddly enough though, after making some effort to locate said thing above and beyond muttering words to a dead guy under their breath. Wow, I'm utterly amazed at the fact that a 'lost' item can be found after praying to a dead man. Actually, I'd be MORE impressed if there was a Saint of "Never finding things again" and anytime you prayed to him for help finding something you'd NEVER find it again. OK, so admittedly, he'd not be a very useful saint (St. Alzheimers?), but at least he'd be able to do something that I wouldn't be able to do (an still be honest with myself) until I'm fairly well into senility. A REAL Saint Anthony should be able to poof the looked-for object right into your hand after the prayer...now THAT'D be helpful. Odds are, unless something is stolen, if you look, you are eventually going to find anything 'lost'. Saint or not. Some people really need to get a clue about causality, and what does NOT constitute it. Cheers, The San Diego Atheist

02-10-2003, 05:19 PM	#6
Aerik Von Regular Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Hell, New York Posts: 151	Here is the logic of it according to my fiance who is somewhat of a Russian Orthodox Christian variety: "If you believe in an afterbeing in which they exist, why would you not turn to them for wisdom and insight? It's not like we WORSHIP them, we just look to them for guidance as an afterlife would obviously mean they still exist." It's not such a hard concept, though I still find it silly.

02-10-2003, 06:55 PM	#8
Amie Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: New York Posts: 1,626	We do pray to God. Regarding intercessory prayer, we Catholics don't pray to the saints, we pray through the saints. A little bit of spiritual backup so to speak... Megusic your protestant friend was wrong.

02-10-2003, 11:10 PM	#9
Ronin Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Mississippi Posts: 5,047	Fond childhood memories of Dungeons and Dragons...thanks, Amie! PS ~ I miss my friend Cthulhu.

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