Why do the main religions require followers to pray?

[wildwood]

If their idol is so great, surely it would know the prayers thoughts and take that as devotion....... or is this praying business another tact to make the followers think they are doing something 'good'.

[beso]

Religion is about the individual complying to the instruction of the oligarchy. Praying on command is reinforcing the devotion to the leadership.

Look at the stories in the Bible. Adam and Eve were punished for failiure to comply. Guilt is used to reinforce the message since the punsihment is applied to the descendents too.

Abraham was a great man because he was even willing to sacrifice his son on God's request.

Job remains committed to God even though he looses his family so God can prove a point to Satan.

[Mamyalynne]

Praying is simply focussing the mind on your own thoughts and beliefs.

[Andyvon]

I agree Mamyalynne. My neighbour is a Muslim and he spends one hour every night in a darkened room praying. He says that is his time communing with God.

[beso]

^^ No. Praying is focussing your mind on the doctrine and excluding your own thoughts.

[Mamyalynne]

That is how you see it, not I.

[beso]

How about "adjusting your thoughts to match the doctrine"?

It certainly isn't about promoting original thought.

[Mamyalynne]

Well maybe I am very fortunate that my original thoughts coincide with my religious upbringing. Caring, nurturing and being there for the people I love.

[beso]

Think about it. They are not original thoughts but the doctrine instilled into you from before you had the capability to think for yourself. Religion relies on this indoctrination to supress original thought.

[beso]

I also care and hurture and am there for the people I love but not for religious reasons.

[Mamyalynne]

I disagree with you and we will leave it there, however IF you are correct I am glad I turned out this way and not bitter and twisted.

Goodnight.

[beso]

Since your original thoughts also match your religion then you will also be eagerly awaiting the greatest massacre of all time when all those who don't subscribe to your doctrine are slaughtered.

[Mamyalynne]

Don't talk rubbish.

[beso]

I am not talking rubbish. The prophecies tell of Armageddon where all those who don't accept the way of the Lord will be killed.

Will you be like the Hebrews and take up the sword in God's name too?

[cupid04]

surely your comments beso are over the top and nasty, if someone believes in prayer and the power thereof then its up to them.

[beso]

They are not over the top and nasty. I have simply repeated what the Bible actually says.

That is the thing with the devotees of the horrible Abrahamic religions. They devote themselves to it and then get upset when someone points out what they are actually committing themselves to.

They pray to a God that by all accounts is nasty and venegful unless you absolutely and unconditionally devote yourself to complete obedience.

The relationship between the devotee and God is exactly the same as that between people in an abusive relationship with one person dictating every aspect of the other's behaviour.

[cupid04]

Beso, I note your comments and I will pray for you.

[redbez]

Got to agree with Beso

[trt]

Why does there always seem to be tragedies (people geting crushed to death) in Saudi when the Muslims go to Mecca?

Shouldn't Alla avoid this?

[naomi24]

//Caring, nurturing and being there for the people I love.//

I do that - and I often extend it to people I don't particularly love too - but I don't need an invisible friend to help me do it.

Since God reputedly has a plan and knows what's going to happen before it happens, there's little point in asking him to change anything - so prayer can only possibly be about subservience.

[bibblebub]

if the devil punishes sinners then doesn't that make him one of the good guys?