What does prayer mean to you? Is it OK if someone

[swamp]

Sept 3, 2012 20:46:41 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

Sept 3, 2012 20:37:52 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I don't believe in God.

You will. It's better to believe now rather than be disappointed when there is no audience for you. I have seen some interesting words come out of atheists mouths. It's usually Thank God after some miraculous something.

Now that attitude is why certain people,get offended when someone offers to pray for them. I have no idea whether or not there is a god. I hope there is, but no one will really know until they die. I don't pretend to have any answers about,religion, and nobody else has them either. Faith is just that, faith. It's not proof. And if someone chooses not to believe, don't tell her she's going to be disappointed at death. For all we know, you'll be disappointed.

[Opti]

Sept 3, 2012 20:50:46 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Sept 3, 2012 20:46:41 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

You will. It's better to believe now rather than be disappointed when there is no audience for you. I have seen some interesting words come out of atheists mouths. It's usually Thank God after some miraculous something.

You mean like Pascal's Wager and hedging my bets? I suppose I could PRETEND to believe, but in my heart of hearts, I don't.

Not that Welts needs my support but I think its better to "believe" because you really do than try to fake it. Somehow if God really were as some believe one shot at life then judge your existence for eternity I'm thinking "he" could figure out whether you were going through the motions or not.

[swamp]

If god has the power to answer prayer, he certainly knows if we really believe.

I wish I did believe, it would probably be very comforting at times. Alas, I can't fake it.

[Deleted]

Sept 3, 2012 21:27:27 GMT -5 swamp said:

If god has the power to answer prayer, he certainly knows if we really believe.

I wish I did believe, it would probably be very comforting at times. Alas, I can't fake it.

I bet Meg Ryan could fake it, even to God.

[Opti]

Sept 3, 2012 21:22:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

Sept 3, 2012 20:46:41 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

You will. It's better to believe now rather than be disappointed when there is no audience for you. I have seen some interesting words come out of atheists mouths. It's usually Thank God after some miraculous something.

Now that attitude is why certain people,get offended when someone offers to pray for them. I have no idea whether or not there is a god. I hope there is, but no one will really know until they die. I don't pretend to have any answers about,religion, and nobody else has them either. Faith is just that, faith. It's not proof. And if someone chooses not to believe, don't tell her she's going to be disappointed at death. For all we know, you'll be disappointed.

Agreed Swamp. As I have mentioned before I have ministers in my family that are relatives. A couple of them follow the belief that "sex" type sins are worse than others whether its divorce, pre-marital sex or whatever. I remember having an argument with one of my uncles who is a minister about something. I think he said something to the effect of if you don't believe X or you do Y(can't remember) you will go to hell. I looked him in the eye and said, "Won't you be surprised when you won't find me there." In the silence I walked away. <--- Victory Dance

[weltschmerz]

Sept 3, 2012 21:22:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

Sept 3, 2012 20:46:41 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

You will. It's better to believe now rather than be disappointed when there is no audience for you. I have seen some interesting words come out of atheists mouths. It's usually Thank God after some miraculous something.

Now that attitude is why certain people,get offended when someone offers to pray for them. I have no idea whether or not there is a god. I hope there is, but no one will really know until they die. I don't pretend to have any answers about,religion, and nobody else has them either. Faith is just that, faith. It's not proof. And if someone chooses not to believe, don't tell her she's going to be disappointed at death. For all we know, you'll be disappointed.

For all we know Artemis will be met at the Pearly Gates by a multi-limbed Elephant God, and he's going to be PISSED!

[Opti]

Sept 3, 2012 21:29:37 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Sept 3, 2012 21:27:27 GMT -5 swamp said:

If god has the power to answer prayer, he certainly knows if we really believe.

I wish I did believe, it would probably be very comforting at times. Alas, I can't fake it.

I bet Meg Ryan could fake it, even to God.

I dunno. Did you see that movie where she married the Angel?

[Opti]

Sept 3, 2012 21:30:04 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Sept 3, 2012 21:22:59 GMT -5 swamp said:

Now that attitude is why certain people,get offended when someone offers to pray for them. I have no idea whether or not there is a god. I hope there is, but no one will really know until they die. I don't pretend to have any answers about,religion, and nobody else has them either. Faith is just that, faith. It's not proof. And if someone chooses not to believe, don't tell her she's going to be disappointed at death. For all we know, you'll be disappointed.

For all we know Artemis will be met at the Pearly Gates by a multi-limbed Elephant God, and he's going to be PISSED!

Ya never know. I briefly dated a guy whose favorite God was Ganesh. ;D

[Deleted]

[weltschmerz]

Sept 3, 2012 21:38:07 GMT -5 @willingsniper said:

That was very good. Thanks.

[Deleted]

.

[Reckless Roselia]

Sept 3, 2012 14:43:56 GMT -5 @willingsniper said:

Prayer is a way to offer no real help yet feel you did.

It can be like a placebo effect, Sniper.

[Reckless Roselia]

Prayer has been studied scientifically. It does work.

I can show you scientific studies that say it doesn't.

I'm sorry to burst the bubble but one cannot prove that prayers do not work. The null hypothesis can never be proven true. So it's a hit and miss situation but as a believer I can say that prayers are more likely not to come true.

[Reckless Roselia]

Sept 3, 2012 21:14:14 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Our poster, Sparkle, who just passed away...well, I just read on another board that a transfusion could have saved her, but she refused. She was a Jehova's Witness. Her superstitions killed her. I find that impossibly sad.
Yeah, "God" works in mysterious ways.

Did you miss reading the fact she was a diabetic too? So no, I don't think her 'superstitions' killed her. That is a cold thing to say.

[mmhmm]

Sparkle made a choice. She made that choice on the basis of what she believed. That's her right and it should be honored as such. While I wouldn't make the same choice, I cannot and will not judge the choice of another, either.

[Reckless Roselia]

Sept 4, 2012 7:00:55 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Sparkle made a choice. She made that choice on the basis of what she believed. That's her right and it should be honored as such. While I wouldn't make the same choice, I cannot and will not judge the choice of another, either.

Amen to that.

[femmefatale]

Sept 4, 2012 7:00:55 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Sparkle made a choice. She made that choice on the basis of what she believed. That's her right and it should be honored as such. While I wouldn't make the same choice, I cannot and will not judge the choice of another, either.

Thanks. mmhmm. Very nicely put.

[Green Eyed Lady]

If you "help" by communicating telepathically with an magic airborne Superman and nothing else....well...that's no help at all.

That is mean and insulting....and totally expected. As was the fact nobody said a word about it. Nobody here is making fun of the fact that you don't believe in God. I don't understand why you feel the need to make fun of those of us who do.

Well....actually I DO understand. Scratch that.

[Green Eyed Lady]

Sept 3, 2012 20:20:00 GMT -5 Artemis Windsong said:

In the name of Jesus Christ and in unity with the Holy Spirit, I can use some prayer; and yes, it works.

The issue is my brother is in the final stages of cancer and we are in the process of forgiving, being forgiven and saying goodbye.

My brother needs prayer for comfort in his final days, decreased pain, to feel the love for him, and to transition easily into the Father's house where a place has been prepared for him.

His care taker is a prayer in motion in his loving attention and he needs prayer to lift up and sustain him and the other care takers.

That I need prayer for is safe travel and a hedge of protection around the people, their homes, and those traveling to see him and attend his funeral.

I need prayer for good relationships among the family members and that my older brother will sober up enough to go see him and settle the years of ugly hurts he's inflicted.

The executors of his estate need prayers for calm interactions and transactions and lifted up in all areas of support and according to their needs.

I need prayers for myself to be mentally present and manage these roiling emotions.

Thank you friends, Amen

My prayers to your brother and your family. Praying his transition into the arms of the Lord is painless.

[weltschmerz]

Sept 4, 2012 9:39:10 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

If you "help" by communicating telepathically with an magic airborne Superman and nothing else....well...that's no help at all.

That is mean and insulting....and totally expected. As was the fact nobody said a word about it. Nobody here is making fun of the fact that you don't believe in God. I don't understand why you feel the need to make fun of those of us who do.

Well....actually I DO understand. Scratch that.

look at the title of this thread. "What does prayer mean to you?" That is the question, and I answered as honestly as I could. If you're looking for a place where you won't feel offended, please check out "God Loving People". It's plumb full to bursting with psalms and pictures of beaches and footprints and angels and shimmering oceans....not a single confrontational word. Religion is contentious....if your sensibilities are hurt by others' opinions, perhaps you should stay off the religious threads.

[mmhmm]

I'm so sorry, Artemis, for what your family is going through at this time. I hope your brother's passing is a gentle one. My sincere condolences to all who know and love him. Yours is a difficult path right now.

[Green Eyed Lady]

look at the title of this thread. "What does prayer mean to you?" That is the question, and I answered as honestly as I could. If you're looking for a place where you won't feel offended, please check out "God Loving People". It's plumb full to bursting with psalms and pictures of beaches and footprints and angels and shimmering oceans....not a single confrontational word. Religion is contentious....if your sensibilities are hurt by others' opinions, perhaps you should stay off the religious threads.

I agree that religion is contentious. However, most people don't have to be insulting to get their point across. I don't mind a good debate but when someone is around just to poke fun, insult people and be mean, that isn't debate. It's anger and childishness.

But please...feel free.

[weltschmerz]

Sept 4, 2012 12:05:01 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

look at the title of this thread. "What does prayer mean to you?" That is the question, and I answered as honestly as I could. If you're looking for a place where you won't feel offended, please check out "God Loving People". It's plumb full to bursting with psalms and pictures of beaches and footprints and angels and shimmering oceans....not a single confrontational word. Religion is contentious....if your sensibilities are hurt by others' opinions, perhaps you should stay off the religious threads.

I agree that religion is contentious. However, most people don't have to be insulting to get their point across. I don't mind a good debate but when someone is around just to poke fun, insult people and be mean, that isn't debate. It's anger and childishness.

But please...feel free.

And how, exactly, did I insult you? What IS prayer, besides telepathic communication with a deity? Who IS God, other than a super-being with super-powers, who is evidently the prototype for humanity?
The OP asked how I feel about people praying for me....I'd prefer they did something a little more helpful in my time of need. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it. If you feel hurt or insulted, that's your problem, not mine.

[femmefatale]

Sept 4, 2012 12:05:01 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

look at the title of this thread. "What does prayer mean to you?" That is the question, and I answered as honestly as I could. If you're looking for a place where you won't feel offended, please check out "God Loving People". It's plumb full to bursting with psalms and pictures of beaches and footprints and angels and shimmering oceans....not a single confrontational word. Religion is contentious....if your sensibilities are hurt by others' opinions, perhaps you should stay off the religious threads.

I agree that religion is contentious. However, most people don't have to be insulting to get their point across. I don't mind a good debate but when someone is around just to poke fun, insult people and be mean, that isn't debate. It's anger and childishness.

But please...feel free.

Agreed, GEL.

[Green Eyed Lady]

And how, exactly, did I insult you? What IS prayer, besides telepathic communication with a deity? Who IS God, other than a super-being with super-powers, who is evidently the prototype for humanity?
The OP asked how I feel about people praying for me....I'd prefer they did something a little more helpful in my time of need. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it. If you feel hurt or insulted, that's your problem, not mine.

You know dang well that isn't what I was insulted by. You at least pretend to be smarter than that. And if you aren't, I don't plan on spending a lot of time explaining it to you.

Carry on with your anger and childishness. Just know that sometimes unanswered prayers are a blessing.

[mmhmm]

Okay, let's stop the battle. While one person's opinion may not gibe with another's, both are allowed to hold those opinions, and neither should take the opinion of the other personally. If I don't believe prayer to be useful to me, that's my belief. If you believe it to be useful to you, that's your belief. You don't have to accept mine and I don't have to accept yours. Just move on, because board wars between a few posters aren't going to be tolerated.

mmhmm, Administrator

[Deleted]

Sept 4, 2012 12:13:18 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Sept 4, 2012 12:05:01 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

I agree that religion is contentious. However, most people don't have to be insulting to get their point across. I don't mind a good debate but when someone is around just to poke fun, insult people and be mean, that isn't debate. It's anger and childishness.

But please...feel free.

And how, exactly, did I insult you? What IS prayer, besides telepathic communication with a deity? Who IS God, other than a super-being with super-powers, who is evidently the prototype for humanity?
The OP asked how I feel about people praying for me....I'd prefer they did something a little more helpful in my time of need. That's my answer and I'm sticking to it. If you feel hurt or insulted, that's your problem, not mine.

As I have said earlier, I am not a religious person but I do understand that people tend to pray for other people when there is nothing they can physically do for that person. Its not that they are not helping out because they are praying.

Also as someone mentioned about prayers not being answered being a blessing some times, there have been times in my life where I really wanted something to happen and when it didn't, well something better happened I would liken that to unanswered prayers maybe.

[weltschmerz]

Sept 4, 2012 9:39:10 GMT -5 Green Eyed Lady said:

If you "help" by communicating telepathically with an magic airborne Superman and nothing else....well...that's no help at all.

That is mean and insulting....and totally expected. As was the fact nobody said a word about it. Nobody here is making fun of the fact that you don't believe in God. I don't understand why you feel the need to make fun of those of us who do.

Well....actually I DO understand. Scratch that.

Isn't this your quote? Isn't this what you were insulted by? I'm not a mind reader. If that wasn't it, what was it?
Everything seemed fine on this thread until you came on, boohooing about your hurt feelings. Want to get me back? Knock yourself out. i've got my big girl panties on.

[Deleted]

Sept 3, 2012 21:29:37 GMT -5 ArchietheDragon said:

Sept 3, 2012 21:27:27 GMT -5 swamp said:

If god has the power to answer prayer, he certainly knows if we really believe.

I wish I did believe, it would probably be very comforting at times. Alas, I can't fake it.

I bet Meg Ryan could fake it, even to God.

YES OH YES

just agreeing here...

[Reckless Roselia]

Sept 3, 2012 14:43:56 GMT -5 @willingsniper said:

Prayer is a way to offer no real help yet feel you did.

Sniper, I want to add that 'best wishes' and 'good lucks' also tend to be of the same that it's a way to offer no real help yet you feel that you did. However when someone wishes me luck, I feel over the moon. It's like a prayer to me but in disguise. Besides you've wished me few good lucks too in the past. It's the thought that counts.