The power of prayer

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I pray for comfort , peace and acceptance for those who are hurting. In return, I feel comforted.

I feel like this is the best one could hope for.

I'm affiliated with a community of West African immigrants. They are the most devout, godly people you could imagine. Charitable, hardworking, and ALWAYS praying. And yet they are still poor, they still suffer higher instances of disease and disability, their loved ones still die of preventable causes back home.

I ask you, if prayer had any power AT ALL, why are these lovely, christ-like folks still suffering so much more than, I dunno, any member of the Trump family?

Dp, why do these people suffer a higher chance of disease and disability?

Poverty. The poorer you are, the more likely you are to live in unhygienic or otherwise marginal housing, lack access to preventative care, and do dangerous work or work in dangerous conditions. Half of what we see in the ER-- the last chance for the most marginalized people-- is tied directly to poverty and desperation. Not choices, like drugs and bad driving and smoking and drinking, but just doing what you have to do to survive, like working 14 hours a day doing physical labor, injuries from work where power tools are provided but training and protective gear is not, treatable conditions that weren't treated due to inflexible work schedules or lack of ability to pay for care.

The hardest working people in America are the worst-off. No contest. And their bodies pay the price.

The Bible doesn’t say everyone will be rich. Nor does it say humans are immortal on earth. Nor does the Bible say that humans won’t get sick, get diseases, have accidents, etc.

And what does this have to do with the rest of the conversation? Seems like a non-sequitar to me.

I agree; that's why I ignored it. Once they start spouting unrelated scripture, the conversation, if it ever existed in the first place, is over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pray for comfort , peace and acceptance for those who are hurting. In return, I feel comforted.

I feel like this is the best one could hope for.

I'm affiliated with a community of West African immigrants. They are the most devout, godly people you could imagine. Charitable, hardworking, and ALWAYS praying. And yet they are still poor, they still suffer higher instances of disease and disability, their loved ones still die of preventable causes back home.

I ask you, if prayer had any power AT ALL, why are these lovely, christ-like folks still suffering so much more than, I dunno, any member of the Trump family?

Dp, why do these people suffer a higher chance of disease and disability?

Poverty. The poorer you are, the more likely you are to live in unhygienic or otherwise marginal housing, lack access to preventative care, and do dangerous work or work in dangerous conditions. Half of what we see in the ER-- the last chance for the most marginalized people-- is tied directly to poverty and desperation. Not choices, like drugs and bad driving and smoking and drinking, but just doing what you have to do to survive, like working 14 hours a day doing physical labor, injuries from work where power tools are provided but training and protective gear is not, treatable conditions that weren't treated due to inflexible work schedules or lack of ability to pay for care.

The hardest working people in America are the worst-off. No contest. And their bodies pay the price.

The Bible doesn’t say everyone will be rich. Nor does it say humans are immortal on earth. Nor does the Bible say that humans won’t get sick, get diseases, have accidents, etc.

And what does this have to do with the rest of the conversation? Seems like a non-sequitar to me.

non sequitur is the correct spelling

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pray for comfort , peace and acceptance for those who are hurting. In return, I feel comforted.

I feel like this is the best one could hope for.

I'm affiliated with a community of West African immigrants. They are the most devout, godly people you could imagine. Charitable, hardworking, and ALWAYS praying. And yet they are still poor, they still suffer higher instances of disease and disability, their loved ones still die of preventable causes back home.

I ask you, if prayer had any power AT ALL, why are these lovely, christ-like folks still suffering so much more than, I dunno, any member of the Trump family?

Dp, why do these people suffer a higher chance of disease and disability?

Poverty. The poorer you are, the more likely you are to live in unhygienic or otherwise marginal housing, lack access to preventative care, and do dangerous work or work in dangerous conditions. Half of what we see in the ER-- the last chance for the most marginalized people-- is tied directly to poverty and desperation. Not choices, like drugs and bad driving and smoking and drinking, but just doing what you have to do to survive, like working 14 hours a day doing physical labor, injuries from work where power tools are provided but training and protective gear is not, treatable conditions that weren't treated due to inflexible work schedules or lack of ability to pay for care.

The hardest working people in America are the worst-off. No contest. And their bodies pay the price.

The Bible doesn’t say everyone will be rich. Nor does it say humans are immortal on earth. Nor does the Bible say that humans won’t get sick, get diseases, have accidents, etc.

And what does this have to do with the rest of the conversation? Seems like a non-sequitar to me.

I agree; that's why I ignored it. Once they start spouting unrelated scripture, the conversation, if it ever existed in the first place, is over.

So you are asking questions about Christianity and poor people and the scripture about poor people is unrelated?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pray for comfort , peace and acceptance for those who are hurting. In return, I feel comforted.

I feel like this is the best one could hope for.

I'm affiliated with a community of West African immigrants. They are the most devout, godly people you could imagine. Charitable, hardworking, and ALWAYS praying. And yet they are still poor, they still suffer higher instances of disease and disability, their loved ones still die of preventable causes back home.

I ask you, if prayer had any power AT ALL, why are these lovely, christ-like folks still suffering so much more than, I dunno, any member of the Trump family?

Dp, why do these people suffer a higher chance of disease and disability?

Poverty. The poorer you are, the more likely you are to live in unhygienic or otherwise marginal housing, lack access to preventative care, and do dangerous work or work in dangerous conditions. Half of what we see in the ER-- the last chance for the most marginalized people-- is tied directly to poverty and desperation. Not choices, like drugs and bad driving and smoking and drinking, but just doing what you have to do to survive, like working 14 hours a day doing physical labor, injuries from work where power tools are provided but training and protective gear is not, treatable conditions that weren't treated due to inflexible work schedules or lack of ability to pay for care.

The hardest working people in America are the worst-off. No contest. And their bodies pay the price.

The Bible doesn’t say everyone will be rich. Nor does it say humans are immortal on earth. Nor does the Bible say that humans won’t get sick, get diseases, have accidents, etc.

And what does this have to do with the rest of the conversation? Seems like a non-sequitar to me.

I agree; that's why I ignored it. Once they start spouting unrelated scripture, the conversation, if it ever existed in the first place, is over.

So you are asking questions about Christianity and poor people and the scripture about poor people is unrelated?

Different people posting. I didn't understand the point of your scripture quote/post.

To the spell check nazi, sue me for misspelling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As responded to your nearly identical post in the other thread:

There is no evidence for the things you believe.

God is defined as a transcendent, non-physical being beyond the natural world, and philosophers, theologians, and scientists agree that science is not equipped to test that claim directly.

Science studies observable, measurable phenomena in the natural world.


Science can inform the discussion and evaluate certain claims related to God, but it has not produced a definitive, universally accepted proof or disproof of God’s existence. The question ultimately touches not only on science, but also on philosophy, theology, and personal interpretation of evidence. You know this, and that’s why you are being, as I borrow your phrase, a “sandypants.”

So you agree there is no evidence for the things you believe.

We’re good then.

No, we aren’t in agreement.

You erroneously believe science can prove or disprove an entity that exists beyond the physical world.

Even scientists admit they can’t prove or disprove God, prayer, or an afterlife.

You stubbornly don’t care about reality, so there’s that.

I am good, though.

But that doesn’t dispute the fact that there is no evidence for those beliefs, no matter how you try to rationalize and spin.

My posts are in response to your objections as to how atheists express their opinions.

As for your claim that I don’t care about reality. I have no idea what your point is or what you mean.

If you do dispute the fact that there is no evidence for your beliefs, please feel free to present it.

Until then, we are, as i said, good.

Now, after trying to form a fake agreement, you are trying and failing to enforce a false narrative that there is no evidence for my belief.

How you know what my beliefs are based on? That’s a very odd and unknowable claim: you somehow know what every religious person’s beliefs are based upon.

How do you know what every religious person’s beliefs are based upon?

Science can inform the discussion and evaluate certain claims related to God, but it has not produced a definitive, universally accepted proof or disproof of God’s existence. The question ultimately touches not only on science, but also on philosophy, theology, and personal interpretation of evidence.

I get it; you think your personal interpretation of everyone currently alive or passed on is the deciding factor in their personal religious beliefs.

The stunning arrogance that you sit in judgment of everyone else’s life, it’s beyond any reasonable expectation or sense of reality.

No evidence presented. Point remains undisputed.

Evidence can influence whether someone thinks God exists, but no evidence has convinced everyone, and there is currently no universally accepted proof or disproof of God. Different people look at the same evidence and reach different conclusions.

If by “prove” you mean absolute certainty, then neither science nor philosophy has produced a universally accepted proof or disproof of God.

I didn’t say anything about “prove”.

I said there is no evidence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to, but now I find it off-putting and arrogant when someone claims their prayers worked. If there's a God, he's going to save who he wants to save. Saying it's because of prayers is like saying "sorry, you didn't pray enough for your 11 year to not die of brain cancer." I simply cannot rationalize that in my brain.

Enjoy

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you have to lose by believing and praying under such circumstances? Try.

My grip on reality and good decision-making.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What kind of god chooses to intervene based on whether or not people pray? That sounds like a manipulative, rather narcissistic god. Why would any god need to be convinced to step in?

Prayer helps the person praying, as a kind of meditation. But it doesn't do anything or change any outcome.

Knowledgeable faithful believers pray for inspiration, courage, and fortitude to act to achieve the desired outcome. This is what is within God's power and will on Earth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What kind of god chooses to intervene based on whether or not people pray? That sounds like a manipulative, rather narcissistic god. Why would any god need to be convinced to step in?

Prayer helps the person praying, as a kind of meditation. But it doesn't do anything or change any outcome.

Knowledgeable faithful believers pray for inspiration, courage, and fortitude to act to achieve the desired outcome. This is what is within God's power and will on Earth.

In other words, if people have confidence and belief in themselves, they are able to achieve.

What role does God have in that? Seems like you want to give credit where it is not due.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to, but now I find it off-putting and arrogant when someone claims their prayers worked. If there's a God, he's going to save who he wants to save. Saying it's because of prayers is like saying "sorry, you didn't pray enough for your 11 year to not die of brain cancer." I simply cannot rationalize that in my brain.

Enjoy

+1. 😶‍🌫️😇🫣🤫🤔😁

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I used to, but now I find it off-putting and arrogant when someone claims their prayers worked. If there's a God, he's going to save who he wants to save. Saying it's because of prayers is like saying "sorry, you didn't pray enough for your 11 year to not die of brain cancer." I simply cannot rationalize that in my brain.

Enjoy

+1. 😶‍🌫️😇🫣🤫🤔😁

Tim Minchin supports genocide. He is a sick person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I pray for comfort , peace and acceptance for those who are hurting. In return, I feel comforted.

I feel like this is the best one could hope for.

I'm affiliated with a community of West African immigrants. They are the most devout, godly people you could imagine. Charitable, hardworking, and ALWAYS praying. And yet they are still poor, they still suffer higher instances of disease and disability, their loved ones still die of preventable causes back home.

I ask you, if prayer had any power AT ALL, why are these lovely, christ-like folks still suffering so much more than, I dunno, any member of the Trump family?

Dp, why do these people suffer a higher chance of disease and disability?

Because our country is backwards and doesn’t offer universal health care or proper social safety nets.