Answered Prayers as Proof of God

[Lethe]

Seriously, I think when prayer "works", it has more to do with the individual subconsciously making decisions as a result. For example, if you pray to get a job, and that gives you confidence during your job interviews and leads you to make decisions that lands you a desired job, it might "work" but not because of divine intervention. It's a placebo.

It's funny, God expressed the same sentiment:




I've found those who argue prayer as legitimate evidence for their god are among the most ignorant.

[Thor]

It always cracks me up when believers will insist that "God" answers prayers and that sometimes his answer is "No".

Dear Lord, please cure all the children who are stricken with cancer. And please restore eyesight to all the people who are blind.

God: No.

And they want to insist this being loves us so much we can't comprehend it?

[chasm]

Seriously, I think when prayer "works", it has more to do with the individual subconsciously making decisions as a result. For example, if you pray to get a job, and that gives you confidence during your job interviews and leads you to make decisions that lands you a desired job, it might "work" but not because of divine intervention. It's a placebo.

It's funny, God expressed the same sentiment:




I've found those who argue prayer as legitimate evidence for their god are among the most ignorant.

You beat me to putting this video up! Darn you!

[Lethe]

You beat me to putting this video up! Darn you!

I is sorry. Cookie?

[tackattack]

It is claimed that answered prayers strengthen the argument for the existence of God.

1-If that is so, why are unanswered prayers not counted against the existence of God?

2-Can we really accept as evidence a test where negative results are disregarded?

1-They are for me, I don't know about everyone else. I consistantly have a grudge against God for doing things when he wants t and not when I want him to. He hasn't but on a few occasions failed to answer though.

2-No we shouldn't accept it as a test as long as the preconditions are met. We should reject it as a test because that's an emperical proof for something that is powered from Faith. The question is "does God answer prayer" when it shoud be "does God answer my prayer".

[Justtristo]

I want to ask how come prayers aren't answered for say severed limbs growing back? I find it illogical that a god which would create lizards that can regrow severed tails, did not give that same ability to his highest creation us humans.

[tackattack]

I don't know I've never prayed for that

[Skipper]

I don't know I've never prayed for that

But you got to admit it's worth noting that supposedly when people who get better from illness due to prayer it's always getting better from something other people who don't pray also get better from. It's never, like pointed out, a case of growing back limbs or making a miraculous recovery from a previously incurable disease.

And it's always due to treatment received, nobody gets better purely from praying. And we're getting better at expanding lives and curing illness despite being told that we are greater sinners now than ever and I thought that meant we were to live shorter lives.

[tackattack]

I wouldn't say that it's ALWAYS due to treatment received, I couldn't quantify that statement. I agree to your prior statement that is note worthy.

[downbeatplumb]

Surely the efficasy of prayer is a testable phenomenon which therefore invalidates frodos 'god is untestable' position.