Prayer in the Spotlight

I cannot imagine what relevance the prayer question has.

I would be offended if someone asked me about my prayer life outside the context of a mutually agreed upon religious conversation.

However, if I were running for office, it seems that I could not express such indignation without bringing the entire society of hypocrites down upon me.

In this context, it only makes sense for a politician to make up some stock answer to sell to the public.

There is no way to discern the sincerity of the answer, GW Bush, perhaps the most morally hollow and religiously demonstrative among our Presidents appeals only to the religious right and that is on the basis of his "conversion" story.

The question was out of line and ABC is pandering to the religious right in airing it.

Prayer (in the yogic traditions of India an appendix to meditation) is aimed at self renewal. It means the ability to look at ones inner self by cutting out distractions of every day life and trying to understand ones motivations, aims and methods. Apart from the benefit of reducing stress levels and hence blood pressure, it provides a sense of equanimity in dealing with problems of life. Prayer does not eliminate problems it only enables one to deal with them objectively and if unsolvable to endure them without being devastated by their impact.

Interesting question?? It's appalling. This is a presidential debate, not a church group. There would be nothing wrong with this question if it were asked in a church.