What Is The Point Of Prayer?

[Walking Void]

Actually, you are talking to yourself. I hope you enjoy the answers that you give yourself.

That's great you believe that. And I thank you for sharing your opinion with me.

You assume that when i use the word communicate I mean talk, but there are ways to communicate with God without talking. When I pray, sometimes I talk, but most of the times I use another form of communication.

Which would be...?

[discipulus]

That's great you believe that. And I thank you for sharing your opinion with me.

You assume that when i use the word communicate I mean talk, but there are ways to communicate with God without talking. When I pray, sometimes I talk, but most of the times I use another form of communication.

Which would be...?

The idea is hard to convey in a way you would understand. The best word that might give you some type of an idea would be "communion".

[Whateverist]

Which would be...?

The idea is hard to convey in a way you would understand. The best word that might give you some type of an idea would be "communion".

How would you know whether the God you commune with is a 'supernatural' being from another dimension -or- just an aspect of your unconscious mind? Would it matter to you which of these were true?

[discipulus]

The idea is hard to convey in a way you would understand. The best word that might give you some type of an idea would be "communion".

How would you know whether the God you commune with is a 'supernatural' being from another dimension -or- just an aspect of your unconscious mind? Would it matter to you which of these were true?

How do you know the people you commune with on a day to day basis are not just aspects of your unconscious mind? I.e. how do you know solipsism is false?

How do you know you are not a brain in a vat or a body lying in the matrix programmed to think the world you experience is reality when actually it is just a dream?

[Cyberman]

I have no clue. Nor does it matter.

It matters to the McCanns. It matters to the thousands of thje faithful who prayed for the little girl's safe return. It matters to the police who have spent the years since her abduction chasing leads and actively searching for her. Ok they haven't found her either but at least they got off their arses and actually did their job.

Nice xtian attitude you have.

Your argument is essentially this:

In order to say that prayer works, then every instance that a person asks for something, the petition must immediately be granted to them and if not, then this is proof that prayer does not work.

I will wait for you to support this obviously fallacious reasoning.

Well, since I didn't jump to the extreme of "every instance", the only fallacious reasoning evident there is based on a strawman. What I am asking for is one instance of verifiably answered prayer. That's all; just one. If two or three gathered in the godman's name with the faith of a mustard seed can move mountains, getting one little girl back to her parents safe and well after being petitioned by thousands of people - including the friggin' Pope - ought to be trivial.

There really is only one rational answer. All else is special pleading, which your next post to me is going to be filled with.

[Bad Writer]

So what does prayer do for you then, Disc? If its just for the conversation, then I can't blame you if you're feeling kinda lonely in life. Still...what's your proof that it works?

[Whateverist]

How would you know whether the God you commune with is a 'supernatural' being from another dimension -or- just an aspect of your unconscious mind? Would it matter to you which of these were true?

How do you know the people you commune with on a day to day basis are not just aspects of your unconscious mind? I.e. how do you know solipsism is false?

How do you know you are not a brain in a vat or a body lying in the matrix programmed to think the world you experience is reality when actually it is just a dream?

All fine points as well. Lets just say it is my hunch that none of those alternative explanations for my experience is true. But when I'm given artistic inspiration or poetic insight I assume -again just my hunch- that those come from layers of my mind for which I do not control the levers. Now those are some pretty awesome experiences I've just alluded to but note how it diminishes my appreciation of them not one whit to attribute them to my unconscious mind.

So let me ask you, do you have any experiences which you attribute to your unconscious mind - dreams, daydreams, bouts of inspiration, etc? If so then at least you comprehend the category in which I am suggesting we place your communing with God experience. I have to say, I have no reference point for understanding what a supernatural alternative might be. I am devoid of such experiences to the extent that I can only scratch my head in wonder at what you have in mind.

So if the manner in which your God manages simultaneous communion with his many minion was to seed himself into their unconscious .. you would have a problem with that? If not, why do you balk at attributing the God you commune with to your unconscious? I would sincerely like to understand your answer to this.

[Brakeman]

Actually, you are talking to yourself. I hope you enjoy the answers that you give yourself.

..
You assume that when i use the word communicate I mean talk, but there are ways to communicate with God without talking. When I pray, sometimes I talk, but most of the times I use another form of communication.

The gospel writers and most characters in the bible actually talked with god, why can't you? Did god have a stroke so that he can't speak anymore?
Why are today's christians relegated to fuzzy warm feelings when they pray?

[Tonus]

The gospel writers and most characters in the bible actually talked with god, why can't you? Did god have a stroke so that he can't speak anymore?

That kinda makes sense. I also find it a bit difficult to talk after a good wanking.

[Minimalist]

Actually, you are talking to yourself. I hope you enjoy the answers that you give yourself.

That's great you believe that. And I thank you for sharing your opinion with me.

You assume that when i use the word communicate I mean talk, but there are ways to communicate with God without talking. When I pray, sometimes I talk, but most of the times I use another form of communication.

I'm am not about to deny you whatever delusions make you comfortable.

However, they are delusions.