What Is The Point Of Prayer?

[discipulus]

The reason I elaborated on the point was that I was informed in a forum several times by several atheists that I was: "lumping all atheists together", and "assuming all atheists think alike", and being "stereotypical" (to quote the atheists that charged me with being in error)... and these remarks were directed towards me for having said nothing but essentially what Maelstrom said i.e that atheists when they use the word "god" are referring to the God of the Bible. That is something that I used to take for granted, but in light of my experiences speaking with atheists, I cannot take that for granted.

So on one hand if I agree with Maelstrom, then atheists will chastise me for "lumping all atheists together", and if I disagree and demonstrate why I disagree, then I am seen as a desperate fool (among other things I will not repeat).

So much for fruitful, charitable, intellectual discourse.

[Captain Colostomy]

Context matters.

Are you pulling the persecution card now, and why did it take so long?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

that atheists when they use the word "god" are referring to the God of the Bible.

I don't presume to speak for all atheists, but when I refer to the God of Abraham, I use the word 'God' (or 'Allah'). For all others, I use the word 'god'.

Boru

[Bad Writer]

So much for fruitful, charitable, intellectual discourse.

Indeed. You certainly shot yourself in the foot by your inane lines of questioning.

[discipulus]

Context matters.

Are you pulling the persecution card now, and why did it take so long?

I have never experienced persecution for the sake of Christ's name.

This is definitely not persecution. But if I do sense I am being persecuted, you will know. For I will be rejoicing and thanking and praising God that He has seen fit to give me the honor and privilege of being persecuted for His name's sake in the same manner that the prophets and godly men and women who were persecuted before me.

All this is, is a demonstration of the similitude between this generation and the one to which Christ came. For Christ said of His own:

“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market places, who call out to the other children, and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Matthew 11:16-19

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that atheists when they use the word "god" are referring to the God of the Bible.

I don't presume to speak for all atheists, but when I refer to the God of Abraham, I use the word 'God' (or 'Allah'). For all others, I use the word 'god'.

Boru

Thank you Boru. This is exactly an example I was referring to.

[smax]

The point of prayer is to avoid any real level of accountability for any of life's significant challenges. It's something Christians tell each other so that they can feel good about important issues that they are actually doing absolutely nothing about.

[Tonus]

When I say "god" the meaning is context-dependent. I am usually referring to Jehovah/Jesus, but if I'm having a discussion with a Muslim, I'd probably be referring to Allah. And so on.

[Captain Colostomy]

God with a capital 'G' is reserved for the beginning of sentences and for those people who elevate their version of deity to proper noun status. I only concern myself with the former.

Disc-without knowing why you were corrected, I assume you lumped atheists together in some improper fashion. That is a mistake on your part that is going to be called out. Your attempt to flip the script by claiming someone was vague in using 'god' without clarification fell flat because the discussion was with christians, about Christian concepts. (As I fadingly recall.) There was no doubt in my mind...if there was for you, you could have asked. Instead, you made a grand 'Ha-Ha!' spectacle of things.

[discipulus]

God with a capital 'G' is reserved for the beginning of sentences and for those people who elevate their version of deity to proper noun status. I only concern myself with the former.

While you may view the word in that fashion, it is evident from other atheists here that they do not view the word in that fashion, which is my point.

Disc-without knowing why you were corrected, I assume you lumped atheists together in some improper fashion.

I did lump them together in an improper fashion. I said what Maelstrom said earlier. But that statement is not correct. It is lumping atheists together in an improper fashion and stating that they all believe that "god" is referring to the God of the Bible. This is not accurate for atheists differ in opinion as to what the word refers to.

When I corrected Maelstrom, I was told that an opinion cannot be false..... Ok.......

The fact remains, if you say atheists are mentioning the God of the Bible when they use the word "god", you are still lumping all atheists together in an improper fashion.

When Maelstrom commits the error, no charge is brought against him. When I commit the error, I am charged with being stereotypical. This is not consistent.

That is my point.

I wanted the person that labels themselves to be a "writer" to learn from my mistake. I.e. to not be ambiguous when writing.

That is a mistake on your part that is going to be called out.

And the atheist that makes the very same mistake also needs to be called out. In the same way I would call my fellow Christian out for misrepresenting an atheist.

Your attempt to flip the script by claiming someone was vague in using 'god' without clarification fell flat because the discussion was with christians, about Christian concepts. (As I fadingly recall.) There was no doubt in my mind...if there was for you, you could have asked. Instead, you made a grand 'Ha-Ha!' spectacle of things.

Your point is moot. Maelstrom said "when atheists mention god they are mentioning the God of the Bible". This is simply incorrect. Not every atheist thinks that way.

Instead of admitting he was wrong, he sidesteps the issue and says it is just his opinion.

[Gil Gaudia]

To Sword of Christ;
Do you believe parents should be charged with murder for praying that their child will be cured?