Why do/don't you believe in a higher power? (Any HP)

[Andsed]

Also why did does god only seem to answer certain prayers? I mean he clearly does not answer kids in Africa prayers so why did he choose to answer yours?

In the words of a person who I genuinely don't like too much,

A particular prayer in a particular church, in a particular style with a particular stuff, and for particular problems that aren't particularly tough, [...]; A particular prayer in a particular spot, to a particular version of a particular god; and if you get that right, he just might take a break from giving babies malaria and pop down to your local area to fix the cataracts of your mum!

Nice.

[Infected Mushroom]

I don’t personally believe but I think it’s entirely possible God exists.

I can see the appeal though. A powerful, honorable Ned Stark like figure watching all of us and protecting us from evil. You have a direct cell phone line through prayer so you are never alone. When life gets bad, you can ask for counsel from Gor or his servants.

Really comforting stuff, plus the feeling of practical immortality and invulnerability (if you strike me down, I will go to heaven for eternity)

[The New California Republic]

You have a direct cell phone line through prayer so you are never alone.

It's more akin to leaving tons of voicemails on someone's phone and they never reply to you; you don't even get a confirmation that you have got through to the right person or even that your call has got through at all...

When life gets bad, you can ask for counsel from Gor.

Who is this Gor fellow? He sounds dreamy. He also sounds like an orc.

[The Supreme Magnificent High Swaglord]

You have a direct cell phone line through prayer so you are never alone.

It's more akin to leaving tons of voicemails on someone's phone and they never reply to you; you don't even get a confirmation that you have got through to the right person or even that your call has got through at all...

When life gets bad, you can ask for counsel from Gor.

Who is this Gor fellow? He sounds dreamy. He also sounds like an orc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gor

It’s a series of sword-and-planet science fantasy novels, but with themes of male-dominant BDSM.

[Korhal IVV]

You have a direct cell phone line through prayer so you are never alone.

It's more akin to leaving tons of voicemails on someone's phone and they never reply to you; you don't even get a confirmation that you have got through to the right person or even that your call has got through at all...

When life gets bad, you can ask for counsel from Gor.

Who is this Gor fellow? He sounds dreamy. He also sounds like an orc.

Obviously a typo.

[Infected Mushroom]

It's more akin to leaving tons of voicemails on someone's phone and they never reply to you; you don't even get a confirmation that you have got through to the right person or even that your call has got through at all...


Who is this Gor fellow? He sounds dreamy. He also sounds like an orc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gor

It’s a series of sword-and-planet science fantasy novels, but with themes of male-dominant BDSM.

. . .

Is there a place to hide right now?

[Infected Mushroom]

It's more akin to leaving tons of voicemails on someone's phone and they never reply to you; you don't even get a confirmation that you have got through to the right person or even that your call has got through at all...


Who is this Gor fellow? He sounds dreamy. He also sounds like an orc.

Obviously a typo.

Hmmm... no comment

[The New California Republic]

Who is this Gor fellow? He sounds dreamy. He also sounds like an orc.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gor

It’s a series of sword-and-planet science fantasy novels, but with themes of male-dominant BDSM.

I changed my mind, I do not want this.

[Korhal IVV]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gor

It’s a series of sword-and-planet science fantasy novels, but with themes of male-dominant BDSM.

I changed my mind, I do not want this.

By the Emperor, you have brought heresy to this thread!

[Ausinia]

Man, i just love my school hammering religion into my head, that I didn’t ask for, an don’t want.
I’m sure a couple of my friends feel the same way

[Geneviev]

1. People have seen heaven and come back. It's the same as when other people go to Belgium and then say it's real. And the book of Revelation is like a map.
2. I assumed debate in that list is if you argue with people. At least that's how my church interprets it.
3. Prideful Christians sin because pride is a sin, but that toddler wouldn't be actually disobedient.
4. Lying will always hurt someone, so God doesn't want that.
5. Jokes aren't useful for the kingdom of God. They shouldn't be a sin, technically, but that isn't necessary.

1. Near Death Experiences may have a biological basis in neural activity. They do not necessarily make heaven real. The veracity of Belgium is confirmed (and Belgium can be visited at will by anyone with a spare weekend and some spare cash -- you can't say that for Heaven). And the Book of Revelations is not the same as the topographical map.
2. All debate involves taking an opposite stance and arguing your point. When people have opposing views and take different sides in a debate, there is always argument involved. Even when it is civil.
3. My point on the Christians was more about hypocrisy. What if the toddler persistently refused. Some conservative Christians would argue the child was being disobedient and believe in "training up a child"(even of babies only a few months old -- discretion advised)
4. "Yes, your backside does look absolutely huge in that" hurts less than, "Of course your bum doesn't look big in that, but I saw something over there that would look even better?"
5. It's listed as a sin (along with fornication, adulterousness, covetousness -- again -- filthiness and foolish-talk), so the Bible's wrong? 3-7 says:

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

"Wrath of God" sounds pretty strong. And, I have to say that Heaven sounds pretty miserable with no jollity.

Incidentally, humour is always necessary. It makes life better.

1. The Book of Revelations shows what Heaven looks like. It's the same idea. And near death experiences where someone sees heaven exactly as the Bible describes it aren't a coincidence.
2. What I meant is if it's dividing the church or hurting the church somehow.
3. I'm sure if God created people, he would be aware that the toddler isn't aware of what he's doing. And what's in that link isn't something that Christians should ever agree with, since the Bible says fathers shouldn't exasperate their children.
4. It's better to be honest, yes.
5. It's not listed as a sin, it's just recommended that you don't waste time. But I believe that God needed some humor to make people.

One can say for certain that if you were in a coma from an infection then you would have had some high-level medical interventions to keep you alive. It is rare to be rendered comatose by a pathogen and to pull through without medical care. With prayer alone you would almost certainly be dead.

Also why did does god only seem to answer certain prayers? I mean he clearly does not answer kids in Africa prayers so why did he choose to answer yours?

He answers all prayers, but sometimes he has a better plan.

Christians have to do that you know.

Only cuz you think you have too.

And so does the Bible.

[Andsed]

1. Near Death Experiences may have a biological basis in neural activity. They do not necessarily make heaven real. The veracity of Belgium is confirmed (and Belgium can be visited at will by anyone with a spare weekend and some spare cash -- you can't say that for Heaven). And the Book of Revelations is not the same as the topographical map.
2. All debate involves taking an opposite stance and arguing your point. When people have opposing views and take different sides in a debate, there is always argument involved. Even when it is civil.
3. My point on the Christians was more about hypocrisy. What if the toddler persistently refused. Some conservative Christians would argue the child was being disobedient and believe in "training up a child"(even of babies only a few months old -- discretion advised)
4. "Yes, your backside does look absolutely huge in that" hurts less than, "Of course your bum doesn't look big in that, but I saw something over there that would look even better?"
5. It's listed as a sin (along with fornication, adulterousness, covetousness -- again -- filthiness and foolish-talk), so the Bible's wrong? 3-7 says:

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

"Wrath of God" sounds pretty strong. And, I have to say that Heaven sounds pretty miserable with no jollity.

Incidentally, humour is always necessary. It makes life better.

1. The Book of Revelations shows what Heaven looks like. It's the same idea. And near death experiences where someone sees heaven exactly as the Bible describes it aren't a coincidence.
2. What I meant is if it's dividing the church or hurting the church somehow.
3. I'm sure if God created people, he would be aware that the toddler isn't aware of what he's doing. And what's in that link isn't something that Christians should ever agree with, since the Bible says fathers shouldn't exasperate their children.
4. It's better to be honest, yes.
5. It's not listed as a sin, it's just recommended that you don't waste time. But I believe that God needed some humor to make people.

Also why did does god only seem to answer certain prayers? I mean he clearly does not answer kids in Africa prayers so why did he choose to answer yours?

He answers all prayers, but sometimes he has a better plan.

Only cuz you think you have too.

And so does the Bible.

No he does not. He has done nothing to help the kids in Africa or any other people in poor places in the world.

[Geneviev]

1. The Book of Revelations shows what Heaven looks like. It's the same idea. And near death experiences where someone sees heaven exactly as the Bible describes it aren't a coincidence.
2. What I meant is if it's dividing the church or hurting the church somehow.
3. I'm sure if God created people, he would be aware that the toddler isn't aware of what he's doing. And what's in that link isn't something that Christians should ever agree with, since the Bible says fathers shouldn't exasperate their children.
4. It's better to be honest, yes.
5. It's not listed as a sin, it's just recommended that you don't waste time. But I believe that God needed some humor to make people.


He answers all prayers, but sometimes he has a better plan.


And so does the Bible.

No he does not. He has done nothing to help the kids in Africa or any other people in poor places in the world.

He has done a lot. You might not know about it.

[Free Arabian Nation]

No he does not. He has done nothing to help the kids in Africa or any other people in poor places in the world.

He has done a lot. You might not know about it.

Starving a kid to death who prays to food is not answering prayers, that's being misleading at best and cruel at worst.

[Geneviev]

He has done a lot. You might not know about it.

Starving a kid to death who prays to food is not answering prayers, that's being misleading at best and cruel at worst.

He also miraculously feeds and heals them.

[Free Arabian Nation]

Starving a kid to death who prays to food is not answering prayers, that's being misleading at best and cruel at worst.

He also miraculously feeds and heals them.

Whataboutism is not gonna get you anywhere

The fact of the matter is is that there are billions of people across the globe praying for things as minute as finding their car keys to praying they have enough food to last another day. Not everyone finds their car keys and not everyone gets food. This Yahweh guy does not answer all prayers, and if he does, he sucks/is malicious at it.

[Andsed]

Starving a kid to death who prays to food is not answering prayers, that's being misleading at best and cruel at worst.

He also miraculously feeds and heals them.

No he does not. The people who feed and help them or other humans. God has nothing to do with all of the great people helping those in poverty. In fact if one of those people is atheist he sends them to hell.

[Geneviev]

He also miraculously feeds and heals them.

Whataboutism is not gonna get you anywhere

The fact of the matter is is that there are billions of people across the globe praying for things as minute as finding their car keys to praying they have enough food to last another day. Not everyone finds their car keys and not everyone gets food. This Yahweh guy does not answer all prayers, and if he does, he sucks/is malicious at it.

God doesn't always give people what they want. I don't know why. But he definitely has answered a lot of prayers in ways that should have been impossible, and that includes the starving children praying for food.

[Andsed]

Whataboutism is not gonna get you anywhere

The fact of the matter is is that there are billions of people across the globe praying for things as minute as finding their car keys to praying they have enough food to last another day. Not everyone finds their car keys and not everyone gets food. This Yahweh guy does not answer all prayers, and if he does, he sucks/is malicious at it.

God doesn't always give people what they want. I don't know why. But he definitely has answered a lot of prayers in ways that should have been impossible, and that includes the starving children praying for food.

Oh really? Please provide us a link showing this.

[Geneviev]

God doesn't always give people what they want. I don't know why. But he definitely has answered a lot of prayers in ways that should have been impossible, and that includes the starving children praying for food.

Oh really? Please provide us a link showing this.

What these people are doing. Most miracles sadly aren't recorded.

[Free Arabian Nation]

Oh really? Please provide us a link showing this.

What these people are doing. Most miracles sadly aren't recorded.

Yes, humans giving people food out of their good, but free, will

That has nothing to do with answering prayers. If I went to Africa and gave a kid a Chicken Leg, that does not mean a god granted their prayer for food. It just means I went to Africa and gave them a Chicken Leg.

[Andsed]

Oh really? Please provide us a link showing this.

What these people are doing. Most miracles sadly aren't recorded.

Uh no. That is not god that is humans helping out fellow humans. God has nothing to do with this.

[Geneviev]

What these people are doing. Most miracles sadly aren't recorded.

Yes, humans giving people food out of their good, but free, will

That has nothing to do with answering prayers. If I went to Africa and gave a kid a Chicken Leg, that does not mean a god granted their prayer for food. It just means I went to Africa and gave them a Chicken Leg.

That is God answering their prayer through you. God sends people to do his will.

[Free Arabian Nation]

Yes, humans giving people food out of their good, but free, will

That has nothing to do with answering prayers. If I went to Africa and gave a kid a Chicken Leg, that does not mean a god granted their prayer for food. It just means I went to Africa and gave them a Chicken Leg.

That is God answering their prayer through you. God sends people to do his will.

Why does he gotta use humans to do his will? Isn't he omnipotent? Can't he just make it rain food whenever he wants to?

[Andsed]

Yes, humans giving people food out of their good, but free, will

That has nothing to do with answering prayers. If I went to Africa and gave a kid a Chicken Leg, that does not mean a god granted their prayer for food. It just means I went to Africa and gave them a Chicken Leg.

That is God answering their prayer through you. God sends people to do his will.

No it is not. Humans have free will remember? These are humans helping out fellow humans. Not god doing anything.