Simple answer: the principles of math, chemistry, physics and medicine hold. If prayer worked you would see a huge abberance in nature. Tons of kids with cancer recovering at statistically amazing rates. But we do not. We would see huge proportions of people winning grand lottery prizes. We do not. We would see spontaneous regeneration of missing limbs on our war veterans. We do not. We see the exact amount of expected mathematical results. Why? Because prayer is superstition, just like believing a talisman will affect the laws of math and nature. 'Miracles' are cooincidences, as much as people want to deny it and blame it on magic. Have you not noticed this?
2006-12-27 08:37:32 · 18 answers · asked by Handsome Devil 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes, I am familiar with the study where people who knew they were being prayed for fared worse than the other groups.
Sparking the issue as to whether doctors should legally be kept from saying positive statements to hospital patients.
2006-12-27 08:52:15 · update #1
Here's the problem with your "simple answer". We define the principles of chemistry, physics and medicine by what we observe in our world. If God exists, then he probably exists for all people, and there would be no way to get a "control" group.
Additionally, there is no way to objectively verify the true nature of God. The regeneration of amputated limbs, the winning of lottery money, and the recovery rates of childhood cancers may be things that appeal to God, or might be things God objects to. Or they might not matter.
Sure, you and I would like to think these things are important, but they might not be. Would a child's life be invalidated if he died of cancer? Would a parent be less of a parent during and after the death of a child? I don't think so.
Will a person be better off after winning the lottery? I'm not sure he will. And is the sacrifice of a war veteran still a sacrifice if his injuries are guaranteed to heal? Once again, I'm not sure.
It would be unreasonable to use these examples as proof that God doesn't exist just because He didn't do something He might not be able to justify.
What your examples prove is that Prayer doesn't get you everything you want. And I admit some people need to learn this lesson. But most people and most religions already believe that God is not our servant, ready to do what we wish whenever we want.
2006-12-27 22:04:34 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Bad Day 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I disagree with you. Prayer does work but there are some things that fall within God's will. It may seem cruel to us because we can't see the Big Picture. All things work according to God's will. A child dying is one of the wrost things that can happen but God has a plan for those parents; to make them stronger, help them grow. God doesn't like us to put anything above Him, as He is a jealous God, so people winning the lottery is a crazy example becasue that is totally for self. As far as war veterans who lose their limbs, again, it works within God's will.
Just to let you know, there are people who were told by doctors and specialists that they only had so long to live according to all the math and science statistics that have beaten the odds. The doctors don't know why... The specialists can't answer it either. Also, ask any woman who was told she couldn't bear children and went through all of the scientific method to convience and gets pregnant by natural causes (plain old sex). Are these people just coincidences? No! These people will tell you prayer works...
2006-12-27 08:49:26 · answer #2 · answered by nacobelove 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is very personal thing to me. I am just talking to my Lord. I am mainly praying for His will be done. I ask forgiveness for all of my sins and I also pray sometimes His word. He talks to me through His word, and through people and events. I have this personal connection and it not just a belief, it is something more. When I put my faith in Him.
He is so good to me. So patient. I pray for Him to give me wisdom. I do not rely on my own understanding. I know that He still moves stones today He heals sick, He repairs damages, He changes hearts and lives. What have in Him is so precious that it does not even bother me when people think that I am stupid. If I am stupid for Jesus, so be it. That is a good cause and reason. Nothing compares to the freedom I have in Him.
2006-12-27 08:49:07 · answer #3 · answered by SeeTheLight 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You forgot to mention that in the largest controlled study where deeply religious communities prayed for hospital patients, not only was there no difference between those patients who were told they might be prayed for but were not prayed for and those who were told they might be prayed for and were prayed for but those patients who were told that they were going to be prayed for (and were prayed for) did worse than either of the other two groups.
Prayer is dangerous. Avoid it.
An added note: for those Jesus cultist who say god sometimes doesn't answer prayers, I would remind them that it's not supposed to work that way. Jesus said "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12-14)
2006-12-27 08:45:55 · answer #4 · answered by Dave P 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't begrudge anyone the right to believe whatever they will, but you're absolutely correct. Prayer may make people feel connected to something greater than themselves when they feel frightened or especially vulnerable, but that doesn't mean that a supernatural being is going to respond. The only value of prayer is psychological.
2006-12-27 08:42:13 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I have noticed that, and I agree with you 100%
It's a con, think about it. The hubby's surgery goes well. "Oh, my prayers have been answered!" Hubby's surgery doesn't go well, and he dies. Do I blame God? Oh, no! "It's the doctor's fault, let's sue the doctor." God has it made. He gets the credit for everything good, and human beings get the blame for everything bad.
"Hey, Mom! I got a job!"
"I knew you would, I was praying for you."
"Mom, I still haven't found a job."
"Maybe you're not applying at enough places."
Lisa
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/secularhumanism/
2006-12-27 08:42:09 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
TL;DR i'm sorry once you've prayed for issues interior the previous and they have not befell. that is the case with those who're embittered antagonistic to prayer. i will assure you, Jesus Christ is actual and He has responded not basically my prayers, yet besides the prayers of thousands of thousands of others.
2016-12-01 05:48:41 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have you noticed that there are some people who pray and have their prayers answered? Actually, all prayers are answered. Sometimes, however, the answer is no. We don't know why--it just is.
2006-12-27 08:44:15 · answer #8 · answered by Purdey EP 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You lack understanding:God does not bend and work to our rules;we are to humble ourselves and conform to His.
James 1:3-Knowing this,that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
God wants us to have patience so He has us to pray several or many times before He grants the prayer request
God is quit REAL;prayer is REAL; but it doesnt happen when we want it to, it happens when God is ready.
2006-12-27 08:43:51 · answer #9 · answered by Maurice H 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Prayer is the elevation of the mind and heart to God:
+ In praise of his glory
+ In petition for some desired good
+ In thanksgiving for a good received
+ In intercession for others before God
Through prayer the Christian experiences a communion with God through Christ in the Church.
"For me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy." (St. Thérèse of Lisieux)
"Prayer is the raising of one's mind and heart to God or the requesting of good things from God." (St. John Damascene)
But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or "out of the depths" of a humble and contrite heart? (Psalm 130:1)
He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer. Only when we humbly acknowledge that "we do not know how to pray as we ought," are we ready to receive freely the gift of prayer. "Man is a beggar before God."
With love in Christ.
2006-12-27 17:32:33 · answer #10 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋