Praying for God to hurt someone is not illegal, judge rules

[Judi Lynn]

Praying for God to hurt someone is not illegal, judge rules
By David Gibson| Religion News Service, Updated: Friday, April 6, 2:49 PM

Is it okay to ask God to do harm to another person? The theology of such “imprecatory prayer” may be a matter of debate, but a Dallas judge has ruled it is legal, at least as long as no one is actually threatened or harmed.

District Court Judge Martin Hoffman on Monday (April 2) dismissed a lawsuit brought by Mikey Weinstein against a former Navy chaplain who he said used “curse” prayers like those in Psalm 109 to incite others to harm the atheist and founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and his family.

Hoffman said there was no evidence that the prayers by Gordon Klingenschmitt, who had been endorsed for the Navy chaplaincy by the Dallas-based Chaplaincy of Full Gospel Churches, were connected to threats made against Weinstein and his family or damage done to his property.

According to the lawsuit, Klingenschmitt posted a prayer on his website urging followers to pray for the downfall of MRFF.

More:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/praying-for-god-to-hurt-someone-is-not-illegal-judge-rules/2012/04/06/gIQAae5B0S_story.html

[Speck Tater]

1. You will, hoever, go to hell! nt :)

[RKP5637]

2. God sure gets used a lot to reign down death and destruction to others by

damn fools like this. It's all hated and evil cloaked in religion. What an asshole. No wonder I told religion to screw off decades ago, and far better for it ...

[Ecumenist]

3. Wow, isn't the entire point of being a Christian kind of contrary to what this hateful idiot is

doing How is that Christian at all?

[provis99]

5. No True Scotsman.

[Ecumenist]

6. ??

[DavidDvorkin]

8. Yep.

[pscot]

9. God's job is to rain down death and destruction

on anyone who doesn't think the way they do. That and win football games.

[Ecumenist]

10. It's a sick way of thinking , isn't it... I just have one thing to say. WWJD?

I doubt he'd be praying for the demise of people who think about and sees the world differently.

[Ezlivin]

4. However, if God does act you will be held as an accessory

And God can make bail.

[Arctic Dave]

7. Please God, smack that moron in the head with your divine 2x4. Amen.

[Joseph8th]

11. Which is pretty much the ...

... legal equivalent of saying "prayer does nothing". Almost makes me wonder if that wasn't Weinstein's goal: get a judge to say it on the bench. Hehe... pro'ly not, but mebbe?

[longship]

12. He should be drummed out of the service

And dishonorably discharged.

I'm no JAG expert, nor a lawyer, nor have I ever served. But this guy doesn't deserve to wear a uniform in this constitutional republic.

[marmar]

13. This country is one big looney bin.

[idwiyo]

14. K&R

[saras]

15. This is Christian prayer. Try voodoo dolls, and see how legal it is.