Taoism too.

Half way through the run at my first IM, I saw Jesus in the road aggregate as I bent over to stretch.

Funny, so being offended and playing victim is not OK to you, but doing something about it is not OK either. Just like I expected. Because if I want to do something about it, that makes you the victim... right?

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Don't forget to attack!

We had a prayer at the Lincoln Marathon on Sunday. Funny thing is that more people were reverent during the prayer than the national anthem. I like both!

You know there's this things that has shown many things of the bible and religion to be false. Can't remember the name of it... Ah I remember! 'Science' is the word I was looking for.

Prayers in public piss me off because they put the responsibility into the unknown to not have to do something about it. When I do a race, I am lucky to be racing, and I wish myself and all the other competitors, volunteers etc a safe race. I won't need to pray to have a safe race (statistics will tell you prayer won't impact the outcome), but what I CAN do is to have the right attitude to be safe myself and not do anything stupid. Don't rush, don't be an idiot, don't be a dick, and expect the unexpected. And hope that others display the same attitude instead of relying on a god to protect them. I fully accept my responsibility. Just like I accept that praying for a friend who lost a family member is gonna do jack shit, but taking time and being there when he needs me in whichever way that would be will be many times more helpful. Those are the choices I make - not going to hide behind prayer so I can justify my excuses why I didn't do it right...

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Don't forget to attack!

I did this race several years ago and do not remember any prayers in the beginning. I might have been concentrating on other things or maybe I already had my earplugs in so couldn't hear anything either way.

I am not religious at all but I would not hold this against a race, especially a well run and beautiful race like Wildflower.

I recommend this race to anyone, of any religion.

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Max

When I do a race, I am lucky to be racing, and I wish myself and all the other competitors, volunteers etc a safe race. I won't need to pray to have a safe race (statistics will tell you prayer won't impact the outcome)

You'll love this Carlin vid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPOfurmrjxo

You sound easily pissed off if someone else praying pisses you off. I just don't see any reason to get upset or offended about a prayer, whether you believe in it or not.

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I ran. I ran until my muscles burned and my veins pumped battery acid. Then I ran some more.

Impossible. The transition area Wildflower Christian Militia Guard must have just missed you. Normally I think they hold your eyes open with toothpicks and force you to read bible passages.

next time I guess.

Are you part of the Christian Militia Guard ChrisM? I will have to look out for you next time I am there. :)

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Max

You need a little of this religion...third line would be a good place for you to begin...

As long as I have a right to ignore any prayers being said around me, I am okay with people mumbling anything they want. Its only when the religious dogmatics (i.e., most of the republican party, and certainly the chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court) start trying to get me to live under their rules that I spit the bit. However, standing quietly while others address their personal needs for spirituality do not make me feel excluded or isolated.

By the way, did anyone else see "Noah"? I think "Thor" was more believable.

How about Kama Sutra? That could delay the start of the race considerably, though.

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Travis Rassat
Vector Cycle Works
Noblesville, IN
BikeFit Instructor | FMS | F.I.S.T. | IBFI
Toughman Triathlon Series Ambassador

Thank you for bringing this topic up. It has been on mind for quite some time now. Really didnt want to bring it up on here for fear of having people jump down my throat

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When all is said and done. More is usually said than done
Ba Ba Booey

No matter your beliefs, I'm pretty sure it was all with good intention....

Agreed. I don't think a prayer is a prayer if it has ill intents, however since I don't frequent prayer events I could be out of the loop of malicious intended prayers.

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Beyond Aero

"Grind it til' you find it..."

When you are a race director, you get to decide who talks before the start.

So what are your thoughts? The internet is a safe place....

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Beyond Aero

"Grind it til' you find it..."

Don't you think it is both arrogant and ignorant to assume that listening to someone pray to a god I don't believe in will prepare my soul for an after life I don't believe in?

This is the real issue. You can't fathom that I won't be better off for having listened to some guys prayer. I can't fathom why anyone would waste the time.....

If someone wants to get up and say, "glad we could all be here on race day, healthy and ready to race. Let's all be safe out there.". I can get on board with that.

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Jason
None of the secrets of success will work unless you do.

Argh…..Thank You . If you want to pray, gather your friends and supporters. Management, rds and race officials have NO place in this.

Sadly , it seems to be becoming more and more common.

Certainly won't be worse off

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I ran. I ran until my muscles burned and my veins pumped battery acid. Then I ran some more.

Well said, +1. What's with this "Prepare for the end" shit? You die! Now if you are talking about making a will, getting your finances in order, making sure the pets are taken care of etc., I can buy into that but I think you should have done that well before the race.

And thanking some deity for a well run race ignores all the work that the RD and everyone else put into it. If you want to thank someone, thank them.

And finally, it is up to everyone to be safe and take responsibility for their own actions. Blaming a deity for good or bad takes away this responsibility.

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BC Don
Pain is temporary, not giving it your all lasts all Winter.

I was at Wildflower this weekend too. Yeah, that prayer thing was strange. But I just ignored it. I figured the owner must be into that stuff.

Yep.