Did 9-11 prove prayer doesn't work, or that god is a cruel psychopath?

Question

We know more than 2600 people died in the collapse of the World Trade Centers. We know 125 died at the Pentagon, and over 250 died on the 4 planes. Together, close to 3000 people lost their lives.

Based on current religious statistics, it's reasonable to assume that more than half the victims were Christian, so it would be fair to say that at least 1500-2000 people were praying to god to save them that morning.

In addition, all around the world millions, if not BILLIONS of Christians were watching the events unfold on TV, and undoubtedly were praying to god to save the lives of these poor, innocent victims.

So, IN UNISON, BILLIONS of Christians were desperately pleading to god to save innocent people from being crushed under trillions of pounds of concrete. This may have been the largest collective appeal to god at any time in human history.

What did god do?

Nothing.

He hasn't even helped his favored Christian children catch the perp.

Exactly how does praying to god help, again?

blastbeast - So then why are SOME prayers supposedly answered. Why does god SOMETIMES miraculously help people, but not others?

Answer 1

Yes. Unfortunately, I believe this tragedy painfully illustrates strongly that god doesn't interact in the world or answers prayers.

Answer 2

Hi

It seems to me that you have a lot of anger towards God. Firstly God does not take kind to people bad mouthing Him.

Secondly God gave each and every one the free will and power to make decisions. What happened that day wasn't right but the organization behind the whole thing had the sound mind to make the right decision. They didn't.

You say that 1500 - 2000 people were Christians, in my experience you will find that as little as 10% of those are true christian trusting on God for everything. Spending time with God and really worshiping God. It one thing to say that you are a christian and another to have a true relationship with the trinity. (Father, Son and Holy Spirit)

How many of those people were adulteres, 60% if you look at the statistics. How many induldge them in things of the world. It is scarry that this has happened. From a human point of view it is not right. I can asure you that God has a plan with everything that happens, look at how many people came together as a nation when this happened not only america but the whole world.

We need to realize that we cant blame God for everything that happens. And for the perpetrator behind all this he will be judged for what he has done when the time is right.

Just remember that God loves you he send his Son to die on the cross for our sins.

Keep believing

Oddball ([e-mail])

Answer 3

Nope... what it proves is that man has an evil heart and that without the love of God and Jesus there is no hope.

It proves that people die....
"100 per cent of us die, and the percentage cannot be increased." - C.S. Lewis

It proves that none of us know when we will die.
"Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it." - C.S. Lewis


It proves that we have to place our lives in priority and choose how we should live.
Luke 13
A Call to Repentance
1 About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple.
2 “Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?” Jesus asked. “Is that why they suffered?
3 Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.
4 And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem?
5 No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too.”

Parable of the Barren Fig Tree
6 Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed.
7 Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’
8 “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. 9 If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.’”

Perhaps you should look at it this way, over 80% of the people in the building made it out of the buildings that day, perhaps those ARE the answered prayers for safety you seem to be searching for! Actually over half the people hadn't even made it to work yet that day... more ansered prayers? WE ALL only have so long before we are cut down by death and have to give an account for our lives. I have seen prayers answered... they do work! Sometimes it isn't the answer we want but God isn't a Djinni to grant our wishes and give us Lotto numbers! Christianity is not the easy path of the world but it is the only path to salvation and the only path that holds God's peace and love. Jesus actually warned that being a Christian would make you a target for persecution and death.

May you find the truth you seem to be argueing against and perhaps some respect for those that died and their families. You seem to lack empathy for others in your attitude.
Todd


"When you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all." - C.S. Lewis

Answer 4

9/11 only proved that even for an exploitative, imperial power like the U.S., the chickens really do sometimes come home to roost. As for god, that is just a ridiculous fairytale that only the low class, the uneducated, and the simpleminded still believe.

Answer 5

I was always taught that you didn't pray to God for specific outcomes. You can pray all you want that you find your car keys, but that doesn't mean he'll levitate them to a place you'll find them. I was taught to pray for peace of mind, spiritual guidance, etc.
I was also taught that God will only interfere with earthly doings on extremely rare occasions and that these occasions are rapidly decreasing in number as we approach the Apocalypse.
I was also taught that God does not interfere with things already set in motion by three things: Things you can control, things other people force on you, and things completely out of anybody's control. All three of these thing were in play on 9-11.
Disasters happen all the time. Yes, hundreds of Christians were praying for their lives. Some were saved and others weren't. But their prayers may have saved them in their last moments by being spiritually uplifting.
God is not a governmental figure that has to right all the wrongs, how would we ever learn?

Answer 6

God Almighty has made some laws, and every thing is following those basic rules and laws.
According to those rules and laws, certain action causes some reaction or consequences.
For example if we will apply a sharp blade on our finger it will cut our finger and may start bleeding depending situation.
Same way if some one fired a missile or rocket on pentagon, we must expect consequences for that one.
Same way when some one drop atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki we saw millions dead and still millions suffering from exposure of toxic chemicals.

God Almighty is just and running universe with these rules and laws, He made.
But remember God Almighy is ultimate power and authority and has power and authority to change any time.

Answer 7

You ask questions intended to provoke the sputtering, illogical indignation of Christian fundamentalists...but don't you find it to be a tiresome game? They believe what they believe because they have no ability to, nor experience of, finding the objectivity of enlightenment. And they cannot find enlightenment because...they believe what they believe. Ourobouros, 'round 'and round we go.

Needling them about their beliefs doesn't educate them...it just backs them up against a wall, where they strike out with the last feeble weapon they have - "You hafta have FAITH!"
And the fantasy of "faith" excuses them from any further thought on the subject, and any further discomfort that they experience from questioning their beliefs.

By all means, ask any question you please...

...but the uniform tediousness of the answers seems...to me, anyway...hardly worth the effort...

Answer 8

Wow! Conspiracy theories and cry babies. Nice work.

It seems to be a true Christian and to have your prayers heard you have to follow a lot of rules. I'm glad I don't waste my time.

What about praying for sporting events? How does god decide that?

Answer 9

Earlier today I answered a question
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071127140409AArjyjM&cp=2
with this answer:

Prayer works? Really? I wonder how many prayers were said on 9/11. You know, that event that NO ONE survived. Surely, someone prayed when they realized their building was on fire, or their plane was going to go down in a ball of fire, or the building collapsed on them.

I'll bet some of those people who chose to plummet to their death rather than burn prayed all the way down and asked GOD for help and prayed that GOD would find them some place soft to land. NOT ONE OF THOSE PRAYERS WERE ANSWERED. They are ALL DEAD aren't they? Explain that one.
Did any of those people survive?

Prayer works, eh?

Answer 10

9-11 proves that S*** happens.
I notice that people usually blame "bad" things on the devil and "good" things are credited to god. I'm not saying that anything good came out of the events on 9-11. but maybe people should just let go of the whole "god/satan" deal and realize that everything happens for a reason and we all have oppinions on what that reason is but in truth, i dont think any of us will ever know the real reason why anything like this ever happens.

Answer 11

I agree with you " Bhola ".

Please permitt, to copy your answer below, Thanks.

"God Almighty has made some laws, and every thing is following those basic rules and laws.
According to those rules and laws, certain action causes some reaction or consequences.
For example if we will apply a sharp blade on our finger it will cut our finger and may start bleeding depending situation.
Same way if some one fired a missile or rocket on pentagon, we must expect consequences for that one.
Same way when some one drop atomic bomb on Hiroshima and Nagasaki we saw millions dead and still millions suffering from exposure of toxic chemicals.

God Almighty is just and running universe with these rules and laws, He made.
But remember God Almighy is ultimate power and authority and has power and authority to change any time.'