Religion & Spirituality - 11 December 2006

This article was posted by Warren H...

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html?ex=1301461200&en=4acf338be4900000&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

It is PROOF that prayer does not work. So why do Christians pray? The only answer is that do it to make themselves feel better, not actually looking for the prayer to be answered. But that's selfishness, and that's a sin, right?

Much like people all over this world who INSIST that Black Rhino horn and shark fin soup does, in fact, make you smart and verile (even though it has been proven false in hundreds of scientific testing), Christians too continue to believe foolishness, even when proof smacks them upside the head.

2006-12-11 09:56:20 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous

They wrote back saying that He didn't promise that, but I found this verse (Genesis 8:21): "And the Lord smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every living thing, as I have done." But in Revalations 21:1, "And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." Comments?

2006-12-11 09:55:57 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

theres nothing wrong with not beliveing but i just want to know why so i can change it and make more deciples of the Lord.

I LOVE GOD!

2006-12-11 09:55:37 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

Or any other religious holiday for that matter? Would doing so be inconsistent?

2006-12-11 09:55:22 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

. The Bible is not a reliable guide to Christ’s teachings. Mark, the oldest of the Gospels, was written at least 30 years after Christ’s death, and the newest of them might have been written more than 200 years after his death. These texts have been amended, translated, and re-translated so often that it’s extremely difficult to gauge the accuracy of current editions—even aside from the matter of the accuracy of texts written decades or centuries after the death of their subject. This is such a problem that the Jesus Seminar, a colloquium of over 200 Protestant Gospel scholars mostly employed at religious colleges and seminaries, undertook in 1985 a multi-year investigation into the historicity of the statements and deeds attributed to Jesus in the New Testament. They concluded that only 18% of the statements and 16% of the deeds attributed to Jesus had a high likelihood of being historically accurate. So, in a very real sense fundamentalists—who claim to believe in the literal truth of the Bible—are not followers of Jesus Christ; rather, they are followers of those who, decades or centuries later, put words in his mouth.

2006-12-11 09:55:03 · 15 answers · asked by Art 4

Why do some of my fellow christians here end a statement of faith & affirmation with this comment: Good Luck, when we don't believe in chance?

2006-12-11 09:54:52 · 16 answers · asked by Steadfast † One 6

Where in the gospels can be examples to show the meaning of helping people or total stranger which shows us the concept of assisting those who seeks help from other.

2006-12-11 09:54:40 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-11 09:51:47 · 25 answers · asked by justin 2

I know that I'm a Christian, but my fellow Christians help me out every day and I just want to thank them because I was close to becoming an Atheist last month.

Thank you Christians!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

2006-12-11 09:51:40 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-11 09:51:37 · 8 answers · asked by Dana G 1

A previous posted asked why a rabbi objected to Christmas trees in the Seattle airport. The rabbi did NOT object to the trees, he only requested that a Menorah be added to the decorations in the airport.

Why did the airport employee over-react and remove the trees? Do you suppose s/he is Christian?
.

2006-12-11 09:50:57 · 19 answers · asked by Hatikvah 7

What purpose beyond self satisfaction would an all powerful, all mighty being have for wanting us to believe it exists on faith alone? When a man tell you he has the cure for cancer, but you have to give him all your money and possessions first, you should't believe him. What reason does god have that he/she/it could not just outright tell us? Is it just a game, find out how many will follow me if I don't do anything for a few 1,000 years? And for those who say, "I have not heard from this god", I shall punish and sent to hell for not following someone who has not provided me with enough information to believe in them. The bible isn't evidence of gods existance, but evidence that man believes it to be. You a human cannot pronounce gods existance, only a god can. You can use fear to try to convince people to follow, or you can use tricks to make people believe it was god that helped them but you cannot prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt that is was god and not just a persons will

2006-12-11 09:50:35 · 13 answers · asked by Magus 4

Why can't every one be open minded to other people's religous preferance? Who cares if you are a Christian, Buddhist, Pagan, Hindu, or Muslim. Why don't we share whats in common with our relgions.. Peace and good will towards men! Not who's God is better!

2006-12-11 09:49:45 · 6 answers · asked by jamijokidd 2

I'm glad I'm saved through Christ and have something beyond this world to look forward to, because this world is becoming more insane everyday. The way things are going (especially in the international scene) the world may be coming to an abrupt end very soon. If I were to turn on the news without the eternal assurance I have now, I would be shaking in my boots over all that is going on.

2006-12-11 09:49:34 · 4 answers · asked by chuck3011 3

I hope you know they don't care what you say , so don't waste your time. And what the **** did they do to you? MOST (Im not saying all... and the one's that I know) don't even talk about religion, they just enjoy their lives; something you should try to do. I've noticed that someone who is REALLY into their religion always has alot of anger, but someone with none is relaxed... Why is that?

2006-12-11 09:48:43 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-11 09:48:13 · 8 answers · asked by STFU Dude 6

If Jews, Muslims or Christians were portrayed in movies and in TV as incorrectly as witches continue to be, many people would be screaming about religious bigotry.

Why are we allowing this double standard to continue? Surely it's time to show people that we're not the "Charmed Ones", nor do we worship the devil (or believe in one), use evil magick or possess the ability to turn people into frogs!

2006-12-11 09:47:47 · 17 answers · asked by FoxyB 5

Is the reason the world is so messed up because men have the idea that they should be the head of the family, the nation, etc.? Don’t they know that they were only made for one thing? (well, maybe to take out the garbage too.) It is all they can think about, so how can they have any time to do anything else in a competent manner? They should just keep their place and let women run things.

2006-12-11 09:46:11 · 10 answers · asked by tonks_op 7

You will not find a bigger proponent of gay rights than I am. I know that a persons sexuality is not a choice. That was my point.

In my opinion, God could not care less what a persons sexuality might be.

2006-12-11 09:44:11 · 16 answers · asked by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7

If you go to the doctor and tests reveal that you have an ulcer, you take the medicine, because you trust the science.
If you get an MRI that says you have a torn ligament, you get it fixed, because you trust the science.
When you get on your computer and answer this question, you trust the science that brought computers about.

But when the very best and most modern science places the age of the earth at 4.3 billion years, you say that the science is bad, because your pastor said so!

2006-12-11 09:44:01 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous

being an agnostic, having no direct standpoint, i get so many immature, rude, disrespectful responses when im not even bashing on their beliefs. this goes for christians and non-believers. regardless of my question very few answer sincerely. is it because the maturity level of this forum is that low? or are they fakers, trying to make other peoples "labeled" groups sound bad?

2006-12-11 09:43:58 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous

Let's take, for example, a country like Sweden. 85% of the people there are non-believers, of which most people are Atheists. It's safe to say it's an atheist country.

Which means a maximum of 15% of the Swedes are Christians.

Yet these 15% manage to keep Sweden have such high morals. It amazes me. I hardly hear anything bad about Sweden, Swedes don't run around the streets with guns, they never start wars on terror, they even have equal human rights! Yes, even between straight and homosexual people. It's awesome.

How can 15% of the peoples morals become so dominant? Christian morals, amazing...really.

2006-12-11 09:43:13 · 15 answers · asked by Thinx 5

Can I attend 2 churches.. As long as they follow the word of GOD and the Holy Spirit? What about Tithing? Does this mean half and half goes to each church.?? What does the Bible say?

2006-12-11 09:42:26 · 11 answers · asked by The real questions 2

i noticed they didnt mention that

2006-12-11 09:41:48 · 19 answers · asked by Kuro 1

just swaying back and forth being all happy do da with the savior doesn't excite me in the least. it reminds me of showing up to a family reunion and trying to annoy do-gooder relatives that want to explain how great god is to everyone and what i need to do to improve my life, which is usually showing up for church on sundays and singing praise....*shudders*....that scares me and I sneak away from their attempts to lure me into ignorant boredom. I would rather do something exciting after I die, rather than become a slave to some savior that uses blind faith instead of logic to 'force' decisions rather than freely choose them.

2006-12-11 09:39:47 · 14 answers · asked by panda_ninjaza 1

I often hear the retort "Prove He does not exist!"

What evidence could you see or what fact could you learn that you would consider evidence against the existence of God?

I'm not asking whether or not God exists, I'm not asking if providing this evidence is possible, but what would it be?

2006-12-11 09:39:26 · 12 answers · asked by Eleventy 6

Europeans (illuminati) made up the story of jesus to control peoples minds and they accomplish just that!!!! Catholics did you see pope benedict sit on an upside down cross chair? LOL! WAKE UP!! THEY ARE CONTORL YOUR MINDS!!New World Order is HERE! One World Government is Here!! and THERE IS NO GOD TO HELP US!!! THERE WAS NEVER A GOD!!!!! IT WAS ALL MADE UP!!! Pope Benedict is a nazi!! Do some RESEARCH!! here check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q1L_g2gV_A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xti55F0IkQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yc8WN66mhHo

2006-12-11 09:39:04 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous

I wouldn't, no Catholic priests either!

2006-12-11 09:38:34 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous

2006-12-11 09:36:34 · 8 answers · asked by Let there be JIMBO 4

If you think you are going to heaven, why? If not, why not?

2006-12-11 09:35:40 · 22 answers · asked by Star 3