The Eternal Wall Of Answered Prayer

[naomi24]

This huge structure being constructed in Birmingham is due to open in 2023. A survey carried out by the group responsible found that one third of people believe that prayer helps their mental well-being. What do you think?

https://www.eternalwall.org.uk/about-us


Something to get your teeth into, nailit. ;o

[naomi24]

Archbaldy, it’s still a ‘Christian’ landmark - as the link says.

[Khandro]

and it's still a Mobius Strip

[Mozz71]

That resolves my issue then Mamya. Thanks for the c/p.

[andres]

Why would you need to pay a visit to this wall when it can be seen for up to 6 miles around?

[Khandro]

It isn't about 'seeing' it, - but let it pass, let it pass.

[douglas9401]

Skateboarders 4 Jesus springs to mind now I've opened the link. :-)

[naomi24]

For me it’s about seeing it, khandro. You can only speak for yourself.

[Khandro]

naomi: The really big question is, what is your motivation in presenting us with this thread. Is it a poor attempt to ridicule the millions of people for whom prayer is an integral part of their spiritual lives?

[Mozz71]

Seems harsh Khandro, as Naomi hasn't posted anything negative about the wall, unless I missed it. Of course she dangled a carrot for Nailit in the OP, but I think that was more in jest.

For me, even though I'm not a theist, the experience would have to be close up so I could read the dedications and prayers. To see it from a distance is fine if you're only interested in it architecturally, but it wouldn't fulfil it's purpose unless you're up close.

[Mamyalynne]

It's as much about the atmosphere as anything, I can watch Niagara Falls on TV but I don't experience the same sensations mt Husband did when he went up close.

The bricks aren't actually inscribed.

The video on this page explains it better.

https://www.eternalwall.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions#How%20will%20I%20be%20able%20to%20read%20the%20answered%20prayers%20that%20I%20can%E2%80%99t%20reach?

[Mozz71]

Mamya, the principle is the same though. You'd have to be up close for the app to "read" the bricks.

[Mamyalynne]

Indeed you would yes.

[naomi24]

Khandro, do you not bother to read the posts?

And yes, my comment to
Nailit was in jest - but jest seems to be a thing of the past.

[Atheist]

I'm afraid that I think it is awful to promote the belief that the Christian God, or Jesus, or the other one, or maybe Mary or maybe saints, or maybe would-be saints, are all somewhere waiting for requests to come in, and then deciding which ones to grant. In my view it encourages irrational behaviour. I don't like one religion pushing itself like this.

It's a pity that proper research isn't done to check the results of prayer, from all faiths and none. We might get some interesting results. Perhaps insurance company data would be useful in comparing life expectancies of people from different religions (who would be likely to pray or be prayed for).

I know that faith and prayers are probably comforting to many, but why not check it out scientifically? It would be marvellous if it turned out that there is something solid behind it all. Then there would be far more people joining religions; of course, some religions might turn out to be better than others.

[naomi24]

Studies have been carried out and found that prayer has a similar effect to meditation in that it’s calming, etc.

[Khandro]

Atheist://I know that faith and prayers are probably comforting to many, but why not check it out scientifically? It would be marvellous if it turned out that there is something solid behind it all. Then there would be far more people joining religions; of course, some religions might turn out to be better than others.//

It isn't a prereq

[Khandro]

try again: It isn't a prerequisite of prayer to belong to any particular religion.

[Atheist]

Khandro, I thnk that this wall project is Christian. I think you are saying that any religious prayer would work (for comfort, or in getting real results from above?), but you don't have evidence of that, do you? If it were to be put to the test we'd have more to go on than personal opinions.

[vulcan42]

The problem with prayer is it's no better than pick & mix. I have a friend who constantly prays for me, whether it's for something minor like the flu or a more serious problem. If the problem is resolved successfully, ie, the flu goes away, she claims her prayer was answered, if it isn't resolved she never mentions it again. How many of the prayers that will end up on this structure are there purely because of coincidence and are not spiritual interventions? Does prayer even require such a structure, what is a church for if not prayer and meditation?

[Atheist]

Vulcan, I don't think that prayer needs any particular building or structurel it's just people thinking thoughts and hopingthey are going somewhere to somebody who will listen and help.
I think that the wall project is a big publicity move to promote christianity - not a good idea, I think, in a world which is full of conflicting beliefs and religious rivalry.