Does Anyone Hear Prayers?

[goodlife]

A Englishman says: I used to say that I didn’t believe in God because I thought that religion was invented to control people and to make money. Also, if there were a God, I reasoned, then there would not be so much injustice. Yet, sometimes I would sit quietly and talk to ‘something.’ I would also ask myself, ‘How did I get here?
Each person with such feelings has his own reasons for doubting whether prayers are answered. In many cases, the doubts may be fueled by unanswered questions, such as the following:

▪ Is there a Creator?
▪ Why is religion so often an influence for bad?
▪ Why does God allow suffering?

If you could know the answers to those questions, would you feel more confident about praying.

Becaus a survey of 10,000 people on four continents showed that of the respondents who describe themselves as atheists, almost 30 percent pray.
From WT on line library

[Baldric]

Scroll down to
'Why do they doubt'
It's all there...............Again!

http://wol.jw.org/en/wol/pc/r1/lp-e/1200273473/51/0

[beso]

I know the answers already.

There is no need for a creator. Science has shown us how a burst of pure energy can become the incredibly diverse universe we see today.

Religion is an influence for bad because it fundamental philosophies were written by ancient, ignorant, arrogant misogynists.

Suffering happens because there is nothing but science to fix it.

[naomi24]

Who is this Englishman? And who conducted the survey? You should know by now you can't believe all you read in Watchtower.

[Baldric]

He's called Allan, alledgedly!

[naomi24]

Thanks Baldric. The Englishman's name was 'Allan', so it's authentic. ;o)

[naomi24]

Ha ha! Sorry, cross-posted.

[chrisgel]

That's a very weak argument, even for you Goodlife.
Must try harder.

[mikey4444]

There is no God and therefore nobody to listen to any prayers....next question please ?

[Baldric]

If I had an Imaginary Friend that took up as much of my time as your Imaginary Friend does goodlife, I would Unimaginaryfriend them and find a new hobby(horse).

[naomi24]

Actually, I’m going to answer this question seriously.

//If you could know the answers to those questions, would you feel more confident about praying.//

//Is there a Creator?//

No one knows.

//Why is religion so often an influence for bad?//

Because it seeks to control – and it succeeds.


//Why does God allow suffering?//

Since no one knows whether or not a God exists, the question is irrelevant.

However, just for the sake of argument, assuming we discovered proof of your God’s existence confirming that he possesses all the powers you allege he possesses, I would find his absence of compassion and his failure to alleviate suffering utterly indefensible, and therefore, no, I wouldn’t consider praying to him at all.


The Epicurean Paradox

Is God willing to prevent evil, but not able?
Then he is not omnipotent.

Is he able, but not willing?
Then he is malevolent.

Is he both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?

Is he neither able nor willing?
Then why call him God?

[Khandro]

I think, as usual, most of you are being too poe-faced about this figure, it isn't heavy, it's only human to 'pray'. It is not necessary to have a belief in an almighty God to do so and you don't have to get down on your knees to do it. It might be just a simple thought to 'something' that a dear one survives a life-threatening operation, or even that a match-winning golf-putt comes off. I'm actually surprised the statistic is so low.

[jomifl]

I hope that makes you feel better goodlife. When you have finished scraping out the barrel you will find the truth ....the bottom is made of wood :-)

[jomifl]

Is hoping praying?

[Khandro]

jomifl; //Is hoping praying?// Sort of.

[ummmm]

Jom, I was going to say something similar. Collecting your thoughts and hoping you can change things in a positive way is very similar to praying, imo.

[ummmm]

I said 'similar'