Ever prayed to God?

[Torog]

Howdy Hamlet,

So when God didn't talk back to you,when you prayed as a kid,that's proof to you,that He doesn't exist ? lol

You can't prove that God doesn't exist,any more than I'll be able to prove to you,that He does..till He calls us both Home to the Other Side,and you find out for yer own self.

I do hope,that you consider yerself to be at least,higher on the scale of things,than a mere animal..do you ? Or do ya believe that Humans are no better than animals ? Like the folks at PETA believe ?

Have a good one ...

[Hamlet]

Proof that he doesn't exist? naaa... but if you start adding things up for yourself, (even though you're threatened with hellfire for doing so), you begin to realize that the stories the priest in the funny clothes is telling ya doesn't pan out with what obviously seem to be facts in the real world.

You say to yourself 'now wait a minute', the only input I'm getting on the God stuff is from some group or institution who wants to control things. They demand that I 'believe' every word, undisputed or I'm going to fry like a fritter. Now why would God, or they, want me to believe that on just blind faith? What could possibly be the motives for the folks in charge to want me to do that?

As far as 'higher than the animals'? Nope, we're smarter but one look at the newspaper and I would put my Scotty dog's character and integrity head and shoulders above 90% of the human population on earth. (including my own) If fact, it's this kind of arrogance of the human beasty that has been used for the most atrocious acts in human history. It was 'Manifest Destiny' ordained that justified us slaughtering our way across America. Black skin was the mark of Cain so it was okay to inslave such lower forms of life. etc, etc...

Yup, yup...I'm just a lowly monkey like the rest of you and my answers aren't any better than anyone elses. I don't know who the folks at PETA are but it seems to me they're at least willing to swallow some of that good ol' fashion humility and accept a probable truth in the scheme of things. Wait a minute! humility-isn't that something Jesus taught as a fundamental to the beginning of enlightenment? hhmm, never mind...most people don't bother practicing the 'red letter' parts anyway.

[braddog10]

I have too much to do today, I can't hang out.

One thing is obvious. We are all respectively passionate toward our views.
I just had to quickly check things out..........I have to laugh... this is tooo much fun. You guys...have a nice day. ...Thanks for catchin up Torog

[Binzhoubum]

Because it encourages people to not actually do something about their problems. If you think God will take care of things for you, why bother doing anything yourself? To take an extreme example, Christian Scientists do not believe in medicine; they believe, however, that prayer can heal people. That can be a very damaging belief. Besides that, prayer and other beliefs in supernatural/paranormal claims encourage sloppy thinking and a blatant disregard for rationalism and the scientific method. Am I going to stop anybody from praying? Of course not. But I don't see what's wrong with informing someone when they're doing something very silly and illogical, like praying to a God who supposedly knows all your thoughts anyways.

Agreed. :smokin:

[braddog10]

Because it encourages people to not actually do something about their problems. If you think God will take care of things for you, why bother doing anything yourself? To take an extreme example, Christian Scientists do not believe in medicine; they believe, however, that prayer can heal people. That can be a very damaging belief. Besides that, prayer and other beliefs in supernatural/paranormal claims encourage sloppy thinking and a blatant disregard for rationalism and the scientific method. Am I going to stop anybody from praying? Of course not. But I don't see what's wrong with informing someone when they're doing something very silly and illogical, like praying to a God who supposedly knows all your thoughts anyways.

You raise some good questions, oneironaut. But, I haven't intentionally ignored you. I had others I wanted to address.

I also agree that both the Christian scientist (nothing scientific about them), and Jehovah's witnesses have bizarre med stands. However, the intellectual scientific community, largely by there prejudices, are blind to much that is clearly real. Many historic views....... they have now had to concede, due to clear evidence otherwise.

I find that the scientific community......... far exceeds excesses of the church in their manipulation, and thought programing.....refusing other views.. primarily as it relates to text books.....and still there are dis proven theories published and shoved down the throat's of our kids.

People can walk out of a church and not return. These people hijack entire generations, disallowing any counter view in schools with supporting evidence.......... we have to support them with our tax dollars, Churches accept donations......these people have the IRS .........and they have the hypocritical audacity to label the church as intolerant.

Hypocrisy is very dangerous, I must be very careful myself even addressing it here, I can quickly find myself in the middle of it.
Humility is the only refuge.

I sucker punched ya, and I'm sorry. We've never talked.
I thought of you all day!!!
.
.

[SpiritLevel]

I don't pray. I have establised a never ending full duplex communication between past present and future. I walk and talk with my ancestors regular and we make giant foot prints in the sand; they bring me power when I need it but only after we discuss how this power is used and it is certain no-one gets hurt unless they deserve it. Some people migh say "thas god and praying"? is it? My higher force shares no similarity to the 'In god We Trust" on them green backs.

[Torog]

Proof that he doesn't exist? naaa... but if you start adding things up for yourself, (even though you're threatened with hellfire for doing so), you begin to realize that the stories the priest in the funny clothes is telling ya doesn't pan out with what obviously seem to be facts in the real world.

You say to yourself 'now wait a minute', the only input I'm getting on the God stuff is from some group or institution who wants to control things. They demand that I 'believe' every word, undisputed or I'm going to fry like a fritter. Now why would God, or they, want me to believe that on just blind faith? What could possibly be the motives for the folks in charge to want me to do that?

As far as 'higher than the animals'? Nope, we're smarter but one look at the newspaper and I would put my Scotty dog's character and integrity head and shoulders above 90% of the human population on earth. (including my own) If fact, it's this kind of arrogance of the human beasty that has been used for the most atrocious acts in human history. It was 'Manifest Destiny' ordained that justified us slaughtering our way across America. Black skin was the mark of Cain so it was okay to inslave such lower forms of life. etc, etc...

Yup, yup...I'm just a lowly monkey like the rest of you and my answers aren't any better than anyone elses. I don't know who the folks at PETA are but it seems to me they're at least willing to swallow some of that good ol' fashion humility and accept a probable truth in the scheme of things. Wait a minute! humility-isn't that something Jesus taught as a fundamental to the beginning of enlightenment? hhmm, never mind...most people don't bother practicing the 'red letter' parts anyway.

Howdy Hamlet,

I would like to add to my previous post,that I also say Grace,before I eat anything and I pray for my gal,everytime that she leaves the house and that God will help my old car,to git her back home,safe and sound. My prayer worked yesterday,when she left to go and pick up my friend,my right rear tire,threw the tread yesterday,but stayed inflated and allowed her to git home,safe and sound.

All Good and all blessings,flow from God..it's Man that brings despair and hopelessness,to the world,not God. With God..anything is possible,without God..well..you see the results.

I don't git my "God-stuff",from a preacher..it comes from within,when I allow God and Jesus,into my heart,it comes from life experience,it comes from observation of God's creation. No one has told me how to think or act,and i did not abandon my thouht process,to some preacher.

Unlike you,I'm distinctly aware of the difference between me and a monkey,I have no such delusions.

Btw, PETA,stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Go visit their web-site and see just how nutty that they are,for yerself.

Have a good one ...

[graymatter]

I would like to add to my previous post,that I also say Grace,before I eat anything and I pray for my gal,everytime that she leaves the house and that God will help my old car,to git her back home,safe and sound.

I'd say that readily available meals are the result of advances in agricultural technology and distribution channels.

... as for the rest, it's statistical fate. The same forces that keep us from winning the lottery are the same ones that keep us from dying in a plane crash. So, I'm thankful for every day that I check my powerball numbers and see that I haven't won.

[Unraveled]

Well, I think even the conceptual being of the Christian god would want it's followers to be independent in their lives. The organized practice has a different teaching though. I don't think that it is really in the best interest of people to take the concepts of the many forms of Christianity and crusade ideals that try to inspire change against anyone's will for that specific person.

I personally believe that the Christian religion has been soiled by the church and its participators from what the original idea of the teachings of Christ. And therefore, I believe that I am not able to be a follower of Christ because Christs ideals have been lost and inverted over time. But I also believe that the modern ideals of Christianity were spawned of the human mind.

I just think that to say that Christianity is irrational rather than irrational in ones own opinion or to say that Christianity is a reality that transcends personal belief.

[Hamlet]

We disagree a lot Torog but I like you for some reason. I think your heart is in the right place. I just gotta get you straightened out on this monkey bashin' issue....lol

As far as PETA goes I don't like to see any living creature suffer. I would be a vegetarian myself for just that reason, but I just can't get past my inner carnivore. I guess living things eat each other and that's just how it is. Oh well, glad I'm close to the top of the food chain for now

Oh, I was kinda moved by your prayers for your girls safety. If I can make a suggestion though maybe you aughta think about rounding her up some new tires?! Remember the old proverb "Trust in Allah-but tie up your camel!".

monkeyman out