g-fan: I think you have entirely miss read my comments. As it was NOT directed to you, or taking on you. The comment i put in " " was from another poster. See the comment I quoted in the thread (near bottom). Believe it or not, i think we are on the same page. I never made any claim that you said to outlaw religion. From posts I have read from you, I believe you are a strong Christian? I never was making any derogatory comments to your faith, or anyone else's for that matter. My post was to the ones who were mocking people of faith. I just never get that. People should respect others beliefs, as long as they are not preaching destruction, violance, harm to man kind, ext.
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You comment about prisons is half right. A MASSIVE amount of the prison population is in there for drug related crimes. The war on drugs has locked up more victim-less crime perpetrators to the point we incarcerate more people as a % of population then ANY other 1st world country. It's beyond ridiculous the amount of people locked up for years for possessing pot.

And it is the claim of the moral high ground by people who pray that makes prayer vulnerable to criticism.

The psychology of praying for forgiveness is in causal tandem with the fact that the over-crowding of our prisons is due to christian recidivists.

kiow......, not sure what your first paragraph means. Haven't religious people already formed assemblies for thousands of years? If you're talking about humans organizing themselves for the betterment of man without religion, those organizations are called democracies.

And moving away? Where did I say anything about moving away? I just posted a comment on another story about how all those people who hate Janesville should move away. I'm not one of them.

And I'm not for outlawing religion. But I'm for voicing my opinion about things I think are nonsense. People who pray can think whatever they want. And I'm allowed to say that there's something wrong with a ritual that is supposed to have the power to stop the tragedy of thousands of children and babies dying each day from starvation and dirty water but does not.

g-fan: When I hear a phrase like "Man, if i ever see them start chanting or forming assemblies out of beliefs that would be a sign to move the hell out of here.".
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No; that does not say fear directly, but if you truly are serious about moving away, I call that fear. I personally could care less if my neighbors hold a prayer group...Hold hands, chant, sing, or whatever that group may do. It certainly is not effecting my freedom, or intruding upon my liberties. If they want to take credit for a prayer being answered, that is their prerogativ. We live in a nation where religious freedom is a center piece of it's founding. If you think a prayer group in your neighborhood is all bunk, then don't go! No need to mock others spiritual beliefs. I'd be far more worried about government intrusion and surveillance in my neighborhood then I would be about my neighbors getting together to pray.

kiow......., no one said anything about fear. The real point is: Prayer does not violate the laws of physics. It only gives psychological comfort under the delusion that those laws are being violated. Prayer allows the one who prays to take credit for having done something that he or she didn't do.

Opining against such ridiculous mental machinations is allowed. Look it up.

It's better to describe the event in the story above as a neighborhood pep rally sans anything supernatural.

Some of you are frankly out of your mind, if you truly fear a group of neighbors who get together to pray. Really is telling about some posters on this site.

Yes, elmooso, Karl Marx did say religion is the opiate of the masses. And his most famous follower, Joe Stalin, a former seminarian, took it to heart. During his reign he permitted the churches to stay open and people were allowed to worship.

During the time of his reign he murdered more people than Hitler while worshippers were on their knees praying instead of rebelling against the biggest murderer in history. Opiate of the masses indeed.

Sigma- lol- I agree with you again. wow.
Did something Happen Steve that needed a big prayer party? I thought somebody in the neighborhood died.
"hood" is not your old neighborhood.

No time to pray.....still in the garden waiting for the Great Pumpkin............

I can't believe there are "haters" on this subject! I would be happy to live in a neighborhood that cares about each other. It wouldn't matter if they call it praying in the driveway or just visiting in the driveway. Why does there always have to be someone to criticize. Only in America I guess. For you in the neighborhood that don't pray (and it does work) stay in your houses, because they are probably praying for you!

I agree with Sigma40.. keep on praying if you want .. but you are delusional if you think it makes any difference.. "Religion is the opiate of the masses"

Sigma40
I live in the neighborhood, and participated in the group prayer, I couldn’t ask for better neighbors, they have been there for my family, as I struggle with many illnesses. They have become family. Yes we party together, we go out to dinner together, we watch each others houses, we have many get togethers. Our friendship isnt based on religious beliefs, nor is it forced in any conversation. Nor is politics. We feel like one big family, and can depend on each other in crisis, or in any other circumstance. No body dances in our driveways or chants. Our neighborhood cares for one another. Please dont move here, you wouldnt fit in!

"Someone's praying, Lord, kumbaya
Oh Lord, kumbaya"
Now everybody sing!!!!!

Why is the focus on religion? They could have achieved the exact same thing by having a party, drinking beer, and dancing in their driveway.
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Im blessed that none of my neighbors are religious fanatics or part of any cults. They have civil parties and get-togethers and the neighborhood is nice and peaceful. Man, if i ever see them start chanting or forming assemblies out of beliefs that would be a sign to move the hell out of here.

The big question is, does your neighborhood have sidewalks?

Thanks Steve....Have always loved this neighborhood since we moved in 9 years ago. you are right, it is not only special, but unusual. I'm proud to say i live in this neighborhood! Michelle Z.