Power of prayer flunks an unusual test

[Forsaken]

Oh, but don't you see, God works in mysterious ways! That or it's a punishment for godlessness.

Yep, that's the response we will usually get. In my case, my country (Fiji) is a very religious state. Odds of those affected by the flooding being Christians is pretty high. So either they were dozing off in church (and thus the lashing from god) or god does not exist. Former indicates a very evil god (thus not worthy of being revered).

[libalchris]

The most ridiculous thing I've heard about prayer, even though it's accepted by pretty much every Christian I know, is that prayer is always answered in 3 ways. Yes, no, or wait. And God always knows which one is best. Of course nobody stopped to think that that is always true, whether you pray to God, Allah, Vishnu, Morgan Freeman, or a glass of orange juice.

[Minimalist]

At least you can drink orange juice....and Morgan Freeman is a fine actor.

[Bgood]

I agree prayer for others is mostly useless, yet I wonder if prayer as positive reinforcment has any beneficial psychological effect. Like saying, "I am healthy, wealthy and wise" and in generating that repetitive mantra, one becomes more so. This would be what is claimed in the popular book, "The Secret" and in many Consciousness theories. I think there could be some value in this type of prayer that is not associated with God or the church, but cultivates confidence, motivation, vision, etc. Any ideas or scientific evidence that supports this?

[Minimalist]

[FallentoReason]

"God knows best, he works in mysterious ways."

That is Pantheism right there. Christians that say this make me spasm. Jesus was the Word alive. Suss it out.

[BoyWonder]

With those right-wing crazies all around you it is probably very unhealthy to wear that T outside, Min.
But if you wear one with "God is great" on it you probably won't have to fear for your life. Because He will protect you...

There's the realtime Xtian hypocrisy for you right there. Right now! Right where you live in AZ!

[Christian]

Yep, that's the response we will usually get. In my case, my country (Fiji) is a very religious state. Odds of those affected by the flooding being Christians is pretty high. So either they were dozing off in church (and thus the lashing from god) or god does not exist. Former indicates a very evil god (thus not worthy of being revered).

Nick, as I told you, it was only through God's will that the situation was not worse. Hundreds could have died, but God saved them.

[Forsaken]

Nick, as I told you, it was only through God's will that the situation was not worse. Hundreds could have died, but God saved them.

[Creed of Heresy]

Yep, that's the response we will usually get. In my case, my country (Fiji) is a very religious state. Odds of those affected by the flooding being Christians is pretty high. So either they were dozing off in church (and thus the lashing from god) or god does not exist. Former indicates a very evil god (thus not worthy of being revered).

Nick, as I told you, it was only through God's will that the situation was not worse. Hundreds could have died, but God saved them.

No, it was through his will that it happened in the first place. Or it would be if he existed. But if he DID, then this indicates malice.

You know something; God has apparently killed upwards of several hundred million individuals whose crimes did not warrant such a cruel, ruthless punishment.

Satan meanwhile has killed ten.

Source: The bible.

Either way even if god existed then it would be necessary to resist him, as it is necessary to resist ALL tyrants. And that is what god would be if he existed; a tyrant. A ruthless, bloodthirsty, totalitarian dictator who Saddam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and every other crackpot power-crazed madman in history would be envious of.