Religion

[Mary]

(08-29-2009 02:57 PM)sheep wrecked Wrote:  

This is a very interesting topic

Religious practices to ward off demons and promote protection really cross most religions, including Christianity.

In the RCC, the cross is the tallisman. Also the St Christopher statue is placed in cars for protection and safety.

In the charismatic/pentecostal movement, one "pleads the blood" of Jesus to ward off evil and claim protection. I have also seen the laying on of hands on cars, boats, bikes, etc along with this practice of pleading the blood to protect and deliver.

I often wonder if prayer for protection does not fit into this scenario as well? I find it curious that no where in the Bible are we instructed to pray for protection, that I am aware of.

So where do all these concepts come from?

What it also makes me think of is using prayer as a sort of "magic spell". to get God to do what we want. There are the obvious Catholic prayers to "saints" like St. Jude that must be published in the newspaper (??) but I am also wary of the mindset that says if we pray in "this" or "that " particular way, or say "these words", or fast for a week then God will do what we want.