What Has God Ever Done For You

[nailit]

That you could never have done for yourself anyway?
Theres always lots of debates on AB (or at least r&s) about the existence of God, creation v evolution, the historicity of the Bible etc.
But very simply, what has this 'Being' ever done for YOU?

When I was a teenage fundementalist' Christian I was very taken with stories about how God had helped someone find their lost car keys after a prayer or how someones Aunt Aggie had recovered from an operation. (After a prayer of course).
The Bible tells us that if we pray in faith, that mountains can be moved. Jesus (allegedly) says that his followers will do even greater things than he.
If this is the case, then why arn't christians active in hospital prayer in childrens cancer wards?
Why dont amputees ever grow a limb back after prayer?, Why has Maddie never been found despite the prayers of thousands of christians? Why are there so many people still ill (even terminal) after recieving prayer?

What has God ever done for you, that you didnt do for yourself?

[Nical]

So if you knew/know there are no Biblical believers, why pose the question? It's not as if you've never asked similar stuff before. I thought you were looking for discussion, not a blank thread. Oh well, I'll know next time - and I know there will be a next time!

[nailit]

//I thought you were looking for discussion, not a blank thread//
ooh a psychic who knows eh?
Try answering the question instead of diverting the thread!

[Nical]

I couldn't answer the question - I'm not a suitable (by your standards) believer. I'm not actually a believer at all.

PS If you didn't want a discussion you should have said so, I'm not psychic - yes, I don't believe in that either.

[nailit]

//PS If you didn't want a discussion you should have said so//
Apologies. Thought that been a question and answer site mite have given it away. My bad.

[naomi24]

To lighten the proceedings somewhat, a little story. One of my best friends is the Rector at our village church and, as you can imagine, we have some interesting conversations. At a time when someone we loved very dearly - a very young man - was diagnosed with cancer she said she would have the congregation at her church pray for him every Sunday. I thanked her for her kindness, but said with a bit of a twinkle, ‘It won’t work’.

They prayed … he died. When she offered condolences I said, ‘Told you it wouldn’t work’. Chuckling she said ‘We can try’.

Nice lady.

I have no problem with people deriving comfort from their faith and the hope of being with loved ones again after death is, I think, rather lovely - a great comfort. My problem only rears its head when those who believe also in the darker side of religion literally put the fear of God into the vulnerable by telling them that punishment awaits and that they’re going to hell. Those people do untold damage that can last a lifetime.

[Nical]

So, you did want a discussion but only from 'Biblical believers' who'd read the Bible as thoroughly as you, understood it as well as you and who didn't mind being asked why amputees don't grow a limb after prayer? Thanks.

[nailit]

//Those people do untold damage that can last a lifetime.//
More to that Naomi than what you know...

[Nical]

Naomi, like you I have no problem with people getting getting comfort, solace, reassurance from their faith, even though I don't share it. I simply don't understand Nailit's insistence on his definition of 'Christians'.

[nailit]

//So, you did want a discussion but only from 'Biblical believers' who'dread the Bible as thoroughly as you//

It would be a start, yes.
I have always made the distinction between believers and those that have actually read the Bible!

[Nical]

Nailit, yes - it would be a start, but is unlikely to happen - well, that's if the previous discussions are anything to go by! You're entitled to your distinctions, of course, but it means you're cutting out huge swathes of the people who'd be interested in responding.

[naomi24]

//More to that Naomi than what you know... //

Make no mistake, Nailit, I know. I really do.

That said, I sat with someone who was close to death but nevertheless smiling and happily and quietly singing hymns, I can't knock the comfort her faith gave her. No fear. She was truly at peace - and that's something I would wish for us all on our death beds.

[nailit]

Those that have actually taken the time to read the Bible are fundementalists (or atheists)...
Those that believe what they are told by their priests/pastors/vicars/families are gullible!

[Nical]

Nailit, whatever gets you through...

Naomi, I have had a similar experience, a dying friend who was perfectly content, saying she 'knew she was going to a better place'. It mystified me, but made me see that people could and did get great comfort from religion.

[pixie374]

Well yes, I've been told many times by someone dying, that they will soon see their dead wife/husband again. It's quite a usual sign, but I would never disagree with them- it isn't the point.

[johnny.5]

I ask Again

HOW?
Would I Know??

[tamborine]

few of us have time to read, absorb & question the bible, due to work. If I (god forbid - smile) languished in prison with all found free & time to fill reading, I might be able to reiterate the bible backwards.

God gives me strength, hope & comfort to live & bear my misfortunes.

[ladybirder]

Love your 21.49 post Naomi. x

[archibaldy]

As an omnipotent being that knows the future, God still gets disappointed in me when I commit the "sins" that he always knew I was going to do anyway. Or so I've been told.

[Khandro]

As it happens, & because of a project I am working on, I have spent most of the last couple of days checking references & attributions for accuracy in the bible itself . Many stories are alarming, obviously metaphorical & yet extraordinarily prescient & applicable to everyday modern life , from Cain & Able (sibling rivalry), Job (determination) etc. there's jealousy, rape, murder, retribution, forgiveness, kindness & much more.

Well worth reading, instead of asking fatuous questions on answer-bank.

[pixie374]

We had to read the whole bible at school, I thought everyone had to?