cods wrote on Sep 7^th, 2020 at 11:08am:

but if say you did believe in god   for the want of giving him another name... thats not how he works....... he neither creates our problems or fixes them.......its all up to us... he has given us the tools... a brain....and we have to use them...some of us do   better than others.. ;D ;D

So that makes prayer meaningless?

The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 7^th, 2020 at 11:56am:

So that makes prayer meaningless?

God answers prayers all the time, you just can't tell because it looks exactly like he's doing nothing. He's very subtle.

Seeing the denizens of this forum seem to think we can interpret God any way we wish . . . I see it like a big dumb overgrown baby, bumbling around the universe creating things, loving some, indifferent to others and accidently sitting on some who don't always get to die quickly. Ooops! Sorry, Oh look at that world over there, think I'll go eat some of it.

This. 100% this.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-secular-life/201909/does-prayer-work

Well, as Mrs. Betty Bowers once opined, 'God sat out the Holocaust, so why do you think he would care about your new Lexus?'

Gordon wrote on Oct 5^th, 2020 at 1:51pm:

This. 100% this. https://www.psychologytoday.com/au/blog/the-secular-life/201909/does-prayer-work

Quote:

Research consistently shows that prayer can have numerous benefits. For example, prayer can be a solid source of self-soothing and self-comfort when one is experiencing pain, coping with loss, or dealing with traumatic circumstances. Prayer can also be of benefit as a form of concentrated mental motivation for achieving personal goals. Prayer can also help people focus on the well-being of others. And, of course, when one finds oneself in a hopeless or helpless situation, with no real options, no clear solution, and no actionable form of alleviation, then prayer is something to engage in to—at the very least—make one feel like one is doing at least something in the face of dire circumstances.

I think that does sum it up nicely, makes people feel like they are doing something when in fact they are doing nothing at all.
How many times do you see on social media people saying that they are sending their "prayers"?
It's completely useless
Donate money, donate food, volunteer to help - but sending "thoughts and prayers" is basically doing nothing 

Quote:

God answers prayers all the time,.....

The way in which God [if he exists] reveals his approval, is not dependent upon the approval of men [of low regard].




John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.


John 14:26
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


Psalms 51:10
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.


Psalms 32:1
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2  Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.



"....pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass...."



If we love God, God does answer the prayers of men.


Amos 3:3
Can two walk together, except they be agreed?

Yadda wrote on Dec 17^th, 2020 at 11:15pm:

Quote: God answers prayers all the time,..... The way in which God [if he exists] reveals his approval, is not dependent upon the approval of men [of low regard].

So what are you saying? That God only answers the prayers of those who are worthy?

So kids who die of cancer dont have their prayers answered
But some sportsman who scores a goal/try/touch down thanks God for having his prayers answered

In what sort of crazy world does that make any sense?

The_Barnacle wrote on Oct 5^th, 2020 at 3:25pm:

I think that does sum it up nicely, makes people feel like they are doing something when in fact they are doing nothing at all. How many times do you see on social media people saying that they are sending their "prayers"?

Daniel Andrews said many times on tv "Thoughts, prayers and best wishes" to the families of Covid victims

Yadda wrote on Dec 17^th, 2020 at 11:15pm:

If we love God, God does answer the prayers of men.

Didn’t work for Christ on the cross. Luke Ch 23: V 34.

Robot wrote on Sep 17^th, 2020 at 10:21pm:

The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 7th, 2020 at 11:56am: So that makes prayer meaningless? God answers prayers all the time, you just can't tell because it looks exactly like he's doing nothing. He's very subtle.

if you can't tell, how do you know God is answering prayers?


Please don't say 'Faith' or I'll be forced to laugh at you.

Luke 11    KJV


9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?

12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?

13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

thats all bullshit goober ...

I've prayed thousands of times that you might say something intelligent just once, and not once in over ten years has my prayer been answered.

Let's have a prayer for Yadda.

Robot wrote on Sep 17^th, 2020 at 10:21pm:

The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 7th, 2020 at 11:56am: So that makes prayer meaningless? God answers prayers all the time, you just can't tell because it looks exactly like he's doing nothing. He's very subtle.

So subtle nobody can explain how an omnipotent being blessed with omniscience could knowingly allow a fallen angel to become Satan. Theology is a sewer of  irrational contradictions no amount of biblical apologetics can sidestep.
Ah yes, many are the mysteries. Not to worry, you can console yourself with Colossians Ch 1 : V 26.

Ayn Marx wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2021 at 8:49am:

Robot wrote on Sep 17th, 2020 at 10:21pm: The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 7th, 2020 at 11:56am: So that makes prayer meaningless? God answers prayers all the time, you just can't tell because it looks exactly like he's doing nothing. He's very subtle. So subtle nobody can explain how an omnipotent being blessed with omniscience could knowingly allow a fallen angel to become Satan. Theology is a sewer of  irrational contradictions no amount of biblical apologetics can sidestep. Ah yes, many are the mysteries. Not to worry, you can console yourself with Colossians Ch 1 : V 26.

I've always wondered how a loving father would leave two innocents in a room with a bar heater thinking that telling them that had no knowledge of right or wrong, good and evil, and telling them not to touch it. Then once they inevitably touch it as soon as he walks out of the room, they are damned forever. How can someone that does not know what good and evil are be condemned when they make a a choice? The whole relationship is abusive.

If you are a bible believer, it wasn't disobedience that was the downfall, it was the curiosity that god himself designed.

https://www.atheistrepublic.com/sites/default/files/Two%20Hands%20Working%20Better%20Than%20a%20Thousand%20Hands%20in%20Prayer.jpg
— Madalyn Murray O'Hair

Setanta wrote on Jan 3^rd, 2021 at 8:05pm:

Ayn Marx wrote on Jan 3rd, 2021 at 8:49am: Robot wrote on Sep 17th, 2020 at 10:21pm: The_Barnacle wrote on Sep 7th, 2020 at 11:56am: So that makes prayer meaningless? God answers prayers all the time, you just can't tell because it looks exactly like he's doing nothing. He's very subtle. So subtle nobody can explain how an omnipotent being blessed with omniscience could knowingly allow a fallen angel to become Satan. Theology is a sewer of  irrational contradictions no amount of biblical apologetics can sidestep. Ah yes, many are the mysteries. Not to worry, you can console yourself with Colossians Ch 1 : V 26. I've always wondered how a loving father would leave two innocents in a room with a bar heater thinking that telling them that had no knowledge of right or wrong, good and evil, and telling them not to touch it. Then once they inevitably touch it as soon as he walks out of the room, they are damned forever. How can someone that does not know what good and evil are be condemned when they make a a choice? The whole relationship is abusive. If you are a bible believer, it wasn't disobedience that was the downfall, it was the curiosity that god himself designed.

Under modern law that would be considered "Entrapment"

The_Barnacle wrote on Jan 4^th, 2021 at 7:54am:

Under modern law that would be considered "Entrapment"

It’s interesting to speculate how and why an omnipotent being could manage to entrap and torture himself.
Has me wondering sometimes of God is talking about himself at Proverbs Ch 9: V 3.

From the 4 minute mark


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuQeLV-2ATI

Some white racist supremacists in there among both WaterMelonesian mobs.
Great 'Sporting' Anthem by the Fijians.
A lot better than the 'Political' Anthem.

I wonder what the Kumuls would come up with?
Maybe a 'Spearing' ceremony?

National Library of Medicine, PubMed:

Intercessory prayer itself had no effect on complication-free recovery from
coronary artery bypass graft, but certainty of receiving intercessory prayer
was associated with a higher incidence of complications.

In two CABG patient groups uncertain about receiving intercessory prayer,
complications occurred in 52% of patients who received intercessory prayer
versus 51% of those who did not. Complications occurred in 59% of patients
certain of receiving intercessory prayer compared with the 52%  of those
uncertain of receiving intercessory prayer.   All group sizes ~600 patients.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16569567/

Oh how little you lot know about prayer.

Never mind ....

Lisa Jones wrote on Dec 3^rd, 2022 at 1:06am:

Oh how little you lot know about prayer. Never mind ....

No religious experience can by any stretch of the imagination be described as knowledge.

A prayer (from Latin precari, "to ask earnestly, to beg") is a form of spell or
incantation, usually cast (or recited) to a specific god or demon. Believers
assert that their god hears their prayers and might even, if in a good mood,
grant the requests contained within said prayers—a kind of celestial bonus
package. On occasion, the faithful direct prayers to some third party who they
believe to have the power to intercede on behalf of petitioners, such as a saint
or "the Lord's anointed" (royalty, religious leaders, etc.).

Though many "studies" have attempted to prove that prayer gets results,
there is no evidence of divine intercession actually occurring, other than
occasional applications of the Texas sharpshooter logical fallacy.

https://i.postimg.cc/rsXzPVjP/Prayer-logic-1.png


Every time a pope falls ill and ends up on his deathbed, we may assume that
a sizable fraction of the 1.3 billion Catholics in the world all pray for his recovery.
Despite this enormous effort of prayer, 100% of popes eventually die.

     ;D    ;D    ;D

Hmmm so nobody here knows why people pray to God. Or how. Interesting.

Lisa Jones wrote on Dec 7^th, 2022 at 9:28pm:

Hmmm so nobody here knows why people pray to God. Or how. Interesting.

Well, firstly Lisa, God or gods simply don't exist, and never have.

"The word god is for me nothing more than the expression and product of
human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive
legends which are nevertheless pretty childish. No interpretation no matter
how subtle can (for me) change this."  —Albert Einstein.

As far as understanding prayer goes, this site explains it in depth...

https://skepdic.com/prayer.html

https://i.postimg.cc/KjS3Q6xN/Screenshot-2022-12-08-at-01-30-25-6a00d83451c0aa69e20240a4ada67f200b-600wi-jpg-JPEG-Image-600-600.png

Not exactly clear on why prayer is in the Atheism section.

The only times I have ever prayed was when I was really, really . . . really scared.

Millions pray for Aliens these days - Aliens to kill and both save them.

issuevoter wrote on Dec 8^th, 2022 at 4:40pm:

Not exactly clear on why prayer is in the Atheism section...

I guess because the few tenets of atheism are the antithesis
of the tenets of religion—prayer being one of those.

AusGeoff wrote on Dec 9^th, 2022 at 3:29am:

issuevoter wrote on Dec 8th, 2022 at 4:40pm: Not exactly clear on why prayer is in the Atheism section... I guess because the few tenets of atheism are the antithesis of the tenets of religion—prayer being one of those.

Yes, but we already know what atheists think of prayer. No one needs to expand on this. So its some Godists using the section for propaganda.

I have to keep saying this: I am not an atheist.

Americans pray to the Marvel/DC Superhero 'Gods' in those Media Temples called 'Cinemas'.
They pray for Aliens to save them from themselves in ruining this world.
They worship their Celebrities like Holy Ones in religions.

Jasin wrote on Dec 9^th, 2022 at 7:38am:

Americans pray to the Marvel/DC Superhero 'Gods' in those Media Temples called 'Cinemas'. They pray for Aliens to save them from themselves in ruining this world. They worship their Celebrities like Holy Ones in religions.

And of course you have lived in the United States where you developed this deep understanding.

issuevoter wrote on Dec 9^th, 2022 at 1:30pm:

Jasin wrote on Dec 9th, 2022 at 7:38am: Americans pray to the Marvel/DC Superhero 'Gods' in those Media Temples called 'Cinemas'. They pray for Aliens to save them from themselves in ruining this world. They worship their Celebrities like Holy Ones in religions. And of course you have lived in the United States where you developed this deep understanding.

Who needs to - see enough here as the 51st State of the USA.

Also, the post of how People go to the Cinema's as if Temples to watch their American version of the Norse, Roman and Greek Gods via their Superhero's is actually taken from the late great Mythologist Joseph Campbell both via his interview series with Bill Moyes and one of his books (many works).
I suggest you give his works a read if you want to understand the 'big picture' - of which, I'm light years ahead of you Big Issue, so I wouldn't even try with me.  :P :D ;D ;)

Jasin wrote on Dec 9^th, 2022 at 6:30pm:

issuevoter wrote on Dec 9th, 2022 at 1:30pm: Jasin wrote on Dec 9th, 2022 at 7:38am: Americans pray to the Marvel/DC Superhero 'Gods' in those Media Temples called 'Cinemas'. They pray for Aliens to save them from themselves in ruining this world. They worship their Celebrities like Holy Ones in religions. And of course you have lived in the United States where you developed this deep understanding. Who needs to - see enough here as the 51st State of the USA. Also, the post of how People go to the Cinema's as if Temples to watch their American version of the Norse, Roman and Greek Gods via their Superhero's is actually taken from the late great Mythologist Joseph Campbell both via his interview series with Bill Moyes and one of his books (many works). I suggest you give his works a read if you want to understand the 'big picture' - of which, I'm light years ahead of you Big Issue, so I wouldn't even try with me.  :P :D ;D ;)

Well, as you ask . . . you do.

Ha!

Silent prayer is now an offence.

https://mobile.twitter.com/LozzaFox/status/1632852619403165696


This is what comes from accommodating the Bbwians, karnals, Mothras of this world.

They must be resisted at every level.

Quote:

Andrea 💜🤍💚 @GemsAndrea · Mar 7 Replying to @LozzaFox Gosh this is old. She was making a nuisance of her self near the abortion clinic she had some restraining order on her not to go near. Why you sharing it again

So nothing to do with simple prayer.

This Topic was moved here from Atheism by freediver.