Do you believe in the power of prayer?

[Further]

Here is art bells statement when he retired

April 1st, 2000 - In the second hour of his talk radio program tonight, Art Bell announces his retirement from radio broadcasting.

"In order that you all understand the gravity of the announcement I'm about to make, it's going to be necessary for me to repeat some very painful events that have occured to my family over the past several years.

On May 16th of the year 1997, my son, Art Bell IV, was kidnapped, transported across state lines and raped by a substitute teacher from his own high school. The assailant was HIV positive. My son was a minor. He was only 16 years old at the time.

The teacher involved was tried, convicted and is now serving a life sentence. My son though, as you might imagine, was sent into a psychological tailspin which continues to this very day. We are trying very very hard to help him recover and lead a more normal life. Some positive events have occurred toward that end and your prayers are welcome. Please keep them coming.

While the police work and the trial of my son's assailant were underway, difficult as it was for me to continue my daily radio programs, I did so. Because my son was a minor at the time of the crime, the records were sealed, his name was not made public, something our society does to protect its own, its future, its young people.

As our family was working through this trauma in private, an event beyond all bounds of decency and humanity occurred. On December 9th of 1997, just a few months after my son's ordeal, my own began. Ted Gunderson, a retired FBI agent, along with David Hinkson and the assistance of others, aired a broadcast which - incredibly, absolutely incredibly - accused me of committing the very same crime my son had suffered, child molestation. The program further stated that I had paid to cover up an indictment in Nye County, Nevada, my home. It further urged listeners to call me "on air" and ask if I had been indicted. Of course, these accusations were entirely false. But, never the less the calls poured into my open line unscreened program, asking if this was true. I had no choice but to block out all these calls and keep my silence for fear of my son's situation becoming public. This broadcast was made on WWCR, world wide shortwave radio, in Nashville, Tennessee. This station has been described by newpapers and civic minded organizations as one of the country's leading broadcasters of hate radio. The individuals, WWCR and its sister-station WNQM, have allowed to broadcast over the airwaves, include a man who wrote a book entitled "The Hitler We Loved And Why" and another man who stated over the airwaves that Jews are the children of Satan and that African-Americans are "mud people".

In addition to broadcasting these proponents of hate and violence, this radio station has consciously decided not to spend money on a delay switch, not to conduct a careful background check of the people it places on the air and to allow individuals to say almost anything they want in foreign languages without having staff on duty who can even understand what they are saying.

In my opinion, WWCR is one of the most irresponsible stations permitted to broadcast over the airwaves of this country.

Now the fallout from that broadcast has been unbelievable. Besides the unrelenting accusatory calls, others repeated this false rumor as though it was fact, resulting in several related lawsuits. Many of you may have heard my defense played out on the airwaves and the Internet.

No matter how hard I have tried to set the record straight, my torment and that of my family continues. Recently, a radio host in Toronto, Canada opened his morning show with the words "I am Art Bell and I molest little children". All of this sent me into a psychological tailspin. I felt I had been dealt a blow I might not recover from. Still I continued my nightly broadcasts as best I could.

In October of 1998, my son came to a crisis point, a situation so critical that nothing but my full-time attention would help. So, on that fateful day, October 13th of 1998, I resigned on air with no intention of returning. But thanks to the efforts of my network, my best friend Alan Corbeth, Kraig Kitchin (CEO of Premiere Networks) and Randy Micheals [CEO of Clear Channel], I was able to return, but the pressure of having to defend myself against baseless, vile claims that I was a child molester eventually forced me to reduce my on air hours. Why the individuals behind the December 9, 1997 broadcast by WWCR decided to make such a patently false and harmful broadcast remains for the courts to decide. A major moment in this litigation is going to occur April 28th in Nashville, Tennessee. If justice prevails, a trial, perhaps a protracted one, may follow. It would be untrue for me to say this has not affected my air work, it has. It would be unfair to all of you, not to give you my full-time best. I can no longer do that. The reality that after suffering the fate of my son's own molestation, I now stand destined to be tainted for life as a child molester, has proven simply too much to bear. God knows, I have tried.

For my Son, I pray that somehow his wounds will heal, his mind's troubles fade into something of a normal life. For myself an ordeal looms ahead to clear my good name of accusations I committed a crime, committed against my own son. Nobody ever said life would be fair, only to be lived as the hand is dealt to you. For all the years of joy my work has provided, I want to thank all of you and whatever creative force allowed it.

I have decided to retire from the broadcast business at the end of this month, my last show to be April 26, 2000.

I will not do any media interviews on this subject. I have already said more than any private person would have said, a private world I now look forward to returning to. Any further questions should be addressed to my attorney Gerard Fox at the law firm of Fox, Siegler & Spillane in Los Angeles at (310) 229-9300."

-- Art Bell

 

[crandc]

First, power of prayer to do what? Problem with religious "discussions" is they don't define terms.

ABM is using the circular argument of claiming the bible is true because the bible says so.

There are people of deep faith who have prayed fervently, desperately, for things big and small. For their sports team to win, for the life of a loved one to be spared, for the rapes to just stop already. If they get what they want it's because god answered their prayers. If they don't it's because god works in mysterious ways. It's like a crooked gambling game where the house always wins. Either way, god is declared the winner.

One of the most revolting things I ever read was Francis Collins, in The Mind of God, trying to find divine justification for his daughter being raped. He finally decided it was to teach him parents can't always protect their children, also to give her compassion for all the other women to whom god sent rapists. What kind of evil vicious vile god would arrange for a woman to be raped to take down her father's pride? Not one I'd ever worship.

God is always good, ABM? Sure, that's why he gave us the slave trade and Holocaust - both sanctified by Christian clergy.

 

[ABM]

ABM is using the circular argument of claiming the bible is true because the bible says so.

It's not a circular "argument" at all. Simply put, it's what I believe to be true...despite what anybody else chooses to believe. I believe the God of the Bible created the heavens and the earth. Therefore, I believe all that is contained in the Bible, itself. If someone else chooses not to agree with me, that's their choice. I'm not making attempts to win any debates/arguments.

No question in my mind, God is always good. Sin isn't, though. We live in a sinful world. Man is desperately wicked, in need of a Savior. That's why Jesus came to this earth...to save sinners. I'm glad that He saved me.

 

[julius]

No. But, I believe in the power of love.

You know, the Power of Love is a curious thing. It can make one man weep, another man sing. It can change a hawk to a little white dove. It's more than a feeling, that's the power of love!


btw, I loved Art Bell. Funny, weird and creepy all in one. but when his 12th wife died and he was already marrying some young high school(ish) aged Filipino? That just kind of made me think he was super creepy. Or she was demented. Seriously, the guy makes Larry King look handsome.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

there are numerous accounts of prayer or faith providing the brain with the ammunition to fend off all sorts of maladies, mind over matter

whether god has anything to do with it is anyones guess

 

[Further]

"Only The Good Die Young" by Billy Joel

Come out Virginia, don't let me me wait
You Catholic girls start much too late
But sooner or later it comes down to fate
I might as well be the one
They showed you a statue and told you to pray
They built you a temple and locked you away
But they never told you the price that you pay
For things that you might have done...
Only the good die young

You might have heard I run with a dangerous crowd
We ain't too pretty, we ain't too proud
We might be laughing a bit too loud
But that never hurt no one
Come on Virginia show me a sign
Send up a signal I'll throw you the line
The stained-glass curtain you're hiding behind
Never lets in the sun
Darling, only the good die young

You got a nice white dress and a party on your confirmation
You got a brand new soul
And a cross of gold
But Virginia they didn't give you quite enough information
You didn't count on me
When you were counting on your rosary

They say there's a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it's better but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
Sinners are much more fun...
You know that only the good die young

You say your mother told you all that I could give you was a reputation
She never cared for me
But did she ever say a prayer for me?

 

[MarAzul]

First, power of prayer to do what? Problem with religious "discussions" is they don't define terms.

ABM is using the circular argument of claiming the bible is true because the bible says so.

There are people of deep faith who have prayed fervently, desperately, for things big and small. For their sports team to win, for the life of a loved one to be spared, for the rapes to just stop already. If they get what they want it's because god answered their prayers. If they don't it's because god works in mysterious ways. It's like a crooked gambling game where the house always wins. Either way, god is declared the winner.

One of the most revolting things I ever read was Francis Collins, in The Mind of God, trying to find divine justification for his daughter being raped. He finally decided it was to teach him parents can't always protect their children, also to give her compassion for all the other women to whom god sent rapists. What kind of evil vicious vile god would arrange for a woman to be raped to take down her father's pride? Not one I'd ever worship.

God is always good, ABM? Sure, that's why he gave us the slave trade and Holocaust - both sanctified by Christian clergy.

Geez! SlyPokerDog is one fu*ked up dog. The Slave trade was mans creation. Holocaust pretty much by another man and his henchmen. But I will see if I can put in a good word for you.

Heh heh! Don't wait on it though.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

god created scabies

what a dick

 

[THE HCP]

Do I believe........ I USED to! I prayed EVERY fucking night for the past 2 months that you'd stop making these ASS-FUCK threads! Were my prayers answered.......nope.

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Geez! SlyPokerDog is one fu*ked up dog. The Slave trade was mans creation. Holocaust pretty much by another man and his henchmen. But I will see if I can put in a good word for you.

Heh heh! Don't wait on it though.

Personal insults aren't allowed at S2 unless they're directed towards me.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

Do I believe........ I USED to! I prayed EVERY fucking night for the past 2 months that you'd stop making these ASS-FUCK threads! Were my prayers answered.......nope.

the all powerful ASS-FUCK!

 

[magnifier661]

Do I believe........ I USED to! I prayed EVERY fucking night for the past 2 months that you'd stop making these ASS-FUCK threads! Were my prayers answered.......nope.

Well that's because God hates Mexicans

 

[ABM]

I remember that. I found Art Bell back in high school, around 1990 and spent many sleepy days at school cause I was up half the night listening to this kook. He sure is fun, even if he ha no ability to distinguish between fact and fiction. He introduced me to many concepts, kind of last centuries Joe Rogan.

I was mesmerized by that internal combustion stuff....

 

[crowTrobot]

It's not a circular "argument" at all. Simply put, it's what I believe to be true...despite what anybody else chooses to believe. I believe the God of the Bible created the heavens and the earth. Therefore, I believe all that is contained in the Bible, itself. If someone else chooses not to agree with me, that's their choice.

I certainly don't the choice to agree with you available to me. I'm compelled not to by evidence.

 

[Further]

Right now I feel close to accepting god

 

[ABM]

Right now I feel close to accepting god

If you are being serious, then that's exciting news! PM me if you'd like to discuss.

 

[Further]

If you are being serious, then that's exciting news! PM me if you'd like to discuss.

Thank you,no I'm not, just in a good mood. Thanks

 

[MarAzul]

Personal insults aren't allowed at S2 unless they're directed towards me.

Careful Sly, you're one up on Jesus when it comes to saving me. I haven't read much about that
but it doesn't seem like the smart play. I'm good with it and even thank you, but be Cautious.

 

[ABM]

Thank you,no I'm not, just in a good mood. Thanks

I'll keep praying, though. Baby steps.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

yeah careful sly

 

[SlyPokerDog]

Careful Sly, you're one up on Jesus when it comes to saving me. I haven't read much about that
but it doesn't seem like the smart play. I'm good with it and even thank you, but be Cautious.

Nothing to be careful about. S2 has very few rules but one of them is no personal insults. Most mods will just delete your post but I'll have some fun with it.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

i think he means like only jesus is allowed to take on anothers sin or some pucky like that

 

[MarAzul]

Nothing to be careful about. S2 has very few rules but one of them is no personal insults. Most mods will just delete your post but I'll have some fun with it.

Well you do what you got a do Sly, including ignoring the little chuckle.
Actually I thought it was a valid observation on my part and I did offer a prayer for her. But I can't promised results you know.

 

[julius]

Im upset that none of you commented on my obvious huey lewis and the news post.

 

[MARIS61]

Sometimes, things don't always work out the way that "we" want. Does that mean we are to quit praying entirely? Absolutely not. God's ways are always higher than ours.

2 Samuel 12:15-24
15 After Nathan had gone home, the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16 David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. 17 The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”

19 David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.

“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.”

20 Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate.

21 His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!”

22 He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23 But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

24 Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon.

God struck the child, ignored his father's prayers, then killed the child. Higher ways indeed.

 

[crandc]

And no, you can't pray away the gay.

 

[julius]

And no, you can't pray away the gay.

can you pray the grey away? I have a fair amount of that.

 

[crandc]

can you pray the grey away? I have a fair amount of that.

No, but I hear Just for Men works. Wouldn't know myself.