Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an atheist, I'd like to throw a flag on the OP for violating Phil Plaitt's "don't be a dick" rule of being an atheist.

This wasn't a "great" quote about religion, it was needless antagonism.

some may perceive it as antagonism that they don't need, but that doesn't mean it isn't accurate.

Accuracy isn't the point. The point is that you're being a dick.

--another athiest

Hello, another atheist -- being a dick is relative, just like being antagonistic. To some people, just mentioning mentioning that you're an atheist (or gay) is seen as antagonistic.

Atheist are often concerned about accuracy and have a lot of experience watching religious people act like dicks. Are you really another atheist or did you figure saying that would make your point stronger?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we do a great disservice when we look at God as a magical wish-granting genie. He isn't and never claimed to be. Crisis and tragedy can bring us closer to God. Prayer and meditation can provide clarity, calm, and perspective. Positive healing thoughts can aid in recovery from illness and injury.

But God isn't in the business of granting wishes. God just is. And when we seek God, enlightenment, Spirit, or whatever you want to call it, we become better, more loving, more compassionate people. And I believe that is the highest purpose in life.

But god grants wishes sometimes. That's why people pray to god. Sure some people pray for peace of mind -- which is a form of meditation -- like toga or long-distance running. But many times people are praying for specific wishes to be granted -- an illness cured, for instance -- and if the illness is cured then people thank God and I've never heard any religious person discourage people from thinking god answered their prayer.

Plus, how do you know that "crisis and tragedy can bring us closer to god?" Some people stop believing in god when it become evident that good and bad things happen without and without god. If God just "is" then who needs him? Maybe some people who like the idea of "something" being out there -- but that's no reason to encourage belief in others.

He "can" provide comfort to people who believe in him -- so can a teddy bear.

The way I see it is that people can attribute hoped-for situations coming true to God, but God himself didn't say that's why they occured. So these people are thanking God for something that didn't directly come from God's intervention. That doesn't mean God is wrong, or a genie, or not listening, or doesn't ever intervene, that means people are mistaken when giving Him credit for everything that happens on a day-to-day basis. [my theory] The world is set up to have free will, consequences confusion.

But I wholeheartedly believe that we can grow within ourselves, closer to others and closer to God by searching for good or a deeper meaning or an opportunity in something terrible. Even a nonbeliever can see value in finding resilience in the face of tragedy, apart from a goal of growing closer to God.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an atheist, I'd like to throw a flag on the OP for violating Phil Plaitt's "don't be a dick" rule of being an atheist.

This wasn't a "great" quote about religion, it was needless antagonism.

some may perceive it as antagonism that they don't need, but that doesn't mean it isn't accurate.

Accuracy isn't the point. The point is that you're being a dick.

--another athiest

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As an atheist, I'd like to throw a flag on the OP for violating Phil Plaitt's "don't be a dick" rule of being an atheist.

This wasn't a "great" quote about religion, it was needless antagonism.

some may perceive it as antagonism that they don't need, but that doesn't mean it isn't accurate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think we do a great disservice when we look at God as a magical wish-granting genie. He isn't and never claimed to be. Crisis and tragedy can bring us closer to God. Prayer and meditation can provide clarity, calm, and perspective. Positive healing thoughts can aid in recovery from illness and injury.

But God isn't in the business of granting wishes. God just is. And when we seek God, enlightenment, Spirit, or whatever you want to call it, we become better, more loving, more compassionate people. And I believe that is the highest purpose in life.

But god grants wishes sometimes. That's why people pray to god. Sure some people pray for peace of mind -- which is a form of meditation -- like toga or long-distance running. But many times people are praying for specific wishes to be granted -- an illness cured, for instance -- and if the illness is cured then people thank God and I've never heard any religious person discourage people from thinking god answered their prayer.

Plus, how do you know that "crisis and tragedy can bring us closer to god?" Some people stop believing in god when it become evident that good and bad things happen without and without god. If God just "is" then who needs him? Maybe some people who like the idea of "something" being out there -- but that's no reason to encourage belief in others.

He "can" provide comfort to people who believe in him -- so can a teddy bear.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. After hearing her daughter was making progress recovering from a life-threatening illness, someone I know proclaimed "God is so good!" in the middle of the hospital where other kids died every single day. I didn't get it.

God answers some prayers, but not others. Some things get better or worse without prayer.

It's a mystery.

or chance.

God answers EVERY prayers. We just don't always understand the answers.

Oh, we understand all right.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/god-answers-prayers-of-paralyzed-little-boy,475/

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Thanking God for the food you have while millions of people around the world starve every single day is like thanking a serial killer because he didn't kill YOU."

That is all.

Interesting thought!

Although isn't this the reason to help those less fortunate? Give to foodbanks, soup kitchens etc.

I agree with the sentiment in the quote I'm just thinking hat the response is going to be simple.

Isn't WHAT the reason for helping the less fortunate? Because you can't count on God to do it?

There was a funny article in the Onion recently -- God was donating $5,000 to the American Cancer foundation to help them find a cure -- obviously he couldn't find one himself.

ttp://www.theonion.com/articles/god-pledges-5000-for-cancer-research,36486/

PP you quoted. As far as I'm concerned the bolded is true.

However, I was thinking more that if you're thankful for "being provided" with enough food, then you should spread it around sort of thing so those less fortunate can share your good fortune.

Anonymous wrote:As an atheist, I'd like to throw a flag on the OP for violating Phil Plaitt's "don't be a dick" rule of being an atheist.

This wasn't a "great" quote about religion, it was needless antagonism.

Anonymous wrote:I think we do a great disservice when we look at God as a magical wish-granting genie. He isn't and never claimed to be. Crisis and tragedy can bring us closer to God. Prayer and meditation can provide clarity, calm, and perspective. Positive healing thoughts can aid in recovery from illness and injury.

But God isn't in the business of granting wishes. God just is. And when we seek God, enlightenment, Spirit, or whatever you want to call it, we become better, more loving, more compassionate people. And I believe that is the highest purpose in life.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agreed. After hearing her daughter was making progress recovering from a life-threatening illness, someone I know proclaimed "God is so good!" in the middle of the hospital where other kids died every single day. I didn't get it.

God answers some prayers, but not others. Some things get better or worse without prayer.

It's a mystery.

or chance.

God answers EVERY prayers. We just don't always understand the answers.