"Please pray"

The Florida Prayer Network has sent out an urgent alert, asking Floridians to "please pray" for its top two remaining priorities in the Legislature -  SB 2400, which would require an ultrasound before all abortions, and SB 2692/HB 1483, which would allow public school teachers to "teach a balanced view" of evolution.

"At this point in the session, most of the grassroots lobbying efforts have been completed and we continue to work with individual legislators as necessary," the alert says. "Both these important measures hang in the balance over the next three days. We call upon you to join us in praying for passage of these two critical bills before the end of session this Friday, May 2, 2008. You have done great work contacting legislators when we ask you to do that.  Now the remainder is out of our hands."

Not sure exactly what to pray for? The group has some recommendations. For the ultrasound bill, the group asks that people "pray that the Florida Senate will bring the bill to a vote and that it will pass the Senate; pray for wisdom for the bill sponsors, Senator Daniel Webster and Representative Trey Traviesa; (and) pray that both the House and Senate will reach agreement and pass the bill."

For the "academic freedom" bills, the group asks that people "pray that a difference in bill language between the House and the Senate will resolved quickly (and) pray for wisdom for the bill sponsors, Senator Ronda Storms and Representative Alan Hays."

Comments

[EVOLUTIONISSCIENCE]

And if the prayer does not work can we use this as evidence that it is not scientifically testable theory or mechanism for change?

I think by virtue of its failure it will prove that religion is not testable and not a valid to use as an alternative mechanism for change as is evolution.

FAILURE OF PASSAGE PROVES PRAYER DOES NOT WORK.

[Drew Smith]

That's odd. We've been assured over and over that the evolution-related bill has nothing to do with religion. Why would the "Prayer Network" care one way or the other about that bill?

[Orlando_Atheist]

Heh, god must not have wanted to require women to have ultrasounds.
Prayer... worthless as usual

[JLO]

Here is what prayer does for people.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=744614

[Robbo]

PRAYER: how to do nothing and still think you're helping

[ALDA]

Well, luckily the prayers for wisdom got through because SB 2400 did not pass the senate! http://www.floridaplannedparenthood.org/

Perhaps future reports on these issues could be more educational and less political.

Should we also pray that the Legislature will come up with more money for prenatal care so that REAL LIVE BABIES DON'T DIE DUE TO A SIMPLE LACK OF CARE? I guess not, because it isn't on the list.