Why do you believe?

[CliveStaples]

I think you wanted to finish with "If all prayers work, you have evidence that disproves atheism." Otherwise, you fall into the coincidence well.

If it's just coincidence, then the prayer didn't work.

[pocaracas]

I think you wanted to finish with "If all prayers work, you have evidence that disproves atheism." Otherwise, you fall into the coincidence well.

If it's just coincidence, then the prayer didn't work.

Ah, I see... I thought you were going for the "if it works once, it's coincidence".
So it needs to work a lot of times (ideally, always) for the coincidence factor to be negligible.

[Whateverist]

Here's my point: Naturalism (atheism and materialism, essentially) entails that prayer never works--and when it "does", it's only coincidence.

So if any prayer ever works, you have evidence that disproves atheism.

That depends on why the prayer worked. It might well be that the act of prayer merely coincides with a healthful state of mind. Someone who prays might then experience healing for that reason rather than as a result of supernatural intercession.

I don't see how the occasional coincidence of what is prayed for with what in fact happens could possibly disprove atheism.

[genkaus]

Here's my point: Naturalism (atheism and materialism, essentially) entails that prayer never works--and when it "does", it's only coincidence.

So if any prayer ever works, you have evidence that disproves atheism.

Ofcourse, you first have to prove that it was the prayer that 'worked'.

[Kirbmarc]

If it's just coincidence, then the prayer didn't work

To prove that prayers work, they should increase the probability of what is asked coming true. A single event of what is asked coming true is not statistically relevant.

If I flip a coin 1000 times and it lands, say, 456 times head, it still doesn't prove that the probability of it landing on head isn't 50%.

But if it lands on head, say, 756 times, then I could say that the probability of it landing on head is probably more than 50%.

Statistic studies on the efficacy of prayers show that they don't work. The life span of individuals for who other people regularly pray for (like the British Royal Family, or people with very religious relatives) isn't longer than the general population (taking into account the level of medical care they receive).

[FutureAndAHope]

[Whateverist]

.. different people in the church have different giftings. I know of some who have even raised the dead back to life. Nothing is impossible with God, but as it is a gift God has to allow it, you don't just get to be a miracle worker when you become a Christian.

What the hell are you on? You're a little too openly weird to be legit. You can't really believe this shit.

[Jackalope]

* Jackalope backs away from thread, looking for a stout stick or large rock.

[The Grand Nudger]

He has more success than me in prayer. Different christians have different gifts.

The dark gift is different for us all.....

I know of some who have even raised the dead back to life.

Hold the fucking presses, all medical science has just been made irrelevant, what is this fantastic son of a bitches name? He needs to be recognized. Cure for AIDs, na...fuck that, we'll just rise you from the dead, who cares.

[Minimalist]

I believe in God due to the experiences I have had with God. Miracles and the like.

You sound like a first class fucking asshole.