That's a very good question Stimbo. Many of my extended family are believers (not all go to church regularly) and when I am discussing the issue with them I am repeatedly hit with the mantra "god doesn't want robots" as an explaination for why yahweh keeps himself hidden. Often this is accompanied, sometimes in the same sentence, with "I know god exists". It has never occured to me to counter with "are you a robot then?".
Rest assured I will be raising it at the next opportunity.
My cousin was recently talking to an elderly woman from her church who was complaining about the length of time she was waiting for an NHS appointment for a hip replacement. My cousin, who has experience in these matters, suggested that she phoned the hospital to say she would be prepared to accept a last minute cancellation slot for the operation. This she did, and then prayed for a quick appointment. 45 minutes later the hospital called her back to say a slot had come up for the following week. This was chalked up as an answered prayer.
I wondered whether, in time, this story would be related, but without the calling the hospital bit, to make it more "miraculous". Not exactly lying, but putting a spin on the story.
Of course this is just anecdotal, but made me suspect that many if not all stories of personal revelation contain an element of exaggeration.
Regards
Grimesy
Rest assured I will be raising it at the next opportunity.
My cousin was recently talking to an elderly woman from her church who was complaining about the length of time she was waiting for an NHS appointment for a hip replacement. My cousin, who has experience in these matters, suggested that she phoned the hospital to say she would be prepared to accept a last minute cancellation slot for the operation. This she did, and then prayed for a quick appointment. 45 minutes later the hospital called her back to say a slot had come up for the following week. This was chalked up as an answered prayer.
I wondered whether, in time, this story would be related, but without the calling the hospital bit, to make it more "miraculous". Not exactly lying, but putting a spin on the story.
Of course this is just anecdotal, but made me suspect that many if not all stories of personal revelation contain an element of exaggeration.
Regards
Grimesy
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. — Edward Gibbon
