While it's easy to scoff, I think GC's answer likely hits the right notes. Religion is in some ways like the Wizard of Oz. You can ask yourself why the wizard is a big ugly head surrounded by flames, and what the big ugly head can do to you, but it might be more useful to understand the man behind the curtain instead. Theology is all about justification and reconciliation; it is an attempt to put a consistent, rational face on the particular story of a religion. That's one level, the public face of a religion. But the other level is the man behind the curtain; why do humans do these religious things as humans rather than as believers in this or that story. The God of Christianity is many things, but he is always one thing in addition to his powers and knowledge: He is a person. And we are a social species. We navigate our world by being social. Sometimes we talk to other people because we want something from them. Sometimes, we want them to assure and comfort us. Sometimes we just want to be heard. Talking to other persons is how humans solve the problems in their lives, and it is a natural instinct to be social. It only makes sense then, that if God is a real person to them, then they're going to talk to Him. And the way that you talk to this invisible person is through prayer.

Quote: Religion is in some ways like the Wizard of Oz.

Yeah. Fictional.

(July 30, 2013 at 2:16 pm)Minimalist Wrote:

Quote: Religion is in some ways like the Wizard of Oz.

Yeah. Fictional.

Yeay! Cliff Notes!

(Sorry, Apophenia.)

I think it is more about the fact that as apes that have left the jungle for the city, we still have a hard time living our lives without being controlled by an angry alpha male.

(July 30, 2013 at 10:19 am)BadWriterSparty Wrote: But GC, why do you need to tell people that you will pray for them?

To let them know they're cared for, to give comfort, to let them know they are not alone in their problem no matter what it is.

It keeps your hands slightly warm.

(July 30, 2013 at 4:28 pm)Godschild Wrote:

(July 30, 2013 at 10:19 am)BadWriterSparty Wrote: But GC, why do you need to tell people that you will pray for them?

To let them know they're cared for, to give comfort, to let them know they are not alone in their problem no matter what it is.

And sometimes to make yourself feel superior...don't forget that one.

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(July 30, 2013 at 4:30 pm)Walking Void Wrote: It keeps your hands slightly warm.

I play pocket pool to do the same.

(July 30, 2013 at 4:28 pm)Godschild Wrote:

(July 30, 2013 at 10:19 am)BadWriterSparty Wrote: But GC, why do you need to tell people that you will pray for them?

To let them know they're cared for, to give comfort, to let them know they are not alone in their problem no matter what it is.

You "praying" doesn't mean shit.

(July 30, 2013 at 2:33 am)Godschild Wrote: I pray to grow in a relationship with God...

FE Wrote:Example, please ?

Examples, many different ones for many different people, this makes the examples nearly endless, but you have asked for one.
Asking God to show me how He is truth and how do I know He is absolute truth.

FE Wrote:How exactly that happens ?

There will be no immediate answer to this, nor will it come quickly, (at least for me it hasn't and it's still being revealed years later) as I read the Bible and do Bible studies God will remind me of what I asked as He reveals His answers through the scriptures.

FE Wrote:Feedback loop can be good, but it can be bad as well, especially if only one voice is heard

The one voice I hear is not mine and the voice I do hear is within my spirit ie. soul.

(July 30, 2013 at 3:15 pm)orogenicman Wrote: I think it is more about the fact that as apes that have left the jungle for the city, we still have a hard time living our lives without being controlled by an angry alpha male.

Amen, sister!