Does prayer work?

[Schneed10]

[quote=Hog1;351765]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Q1
Well, that's what the Bible says. But how do we know the Bible is right? How do we know some other religion is the correct one? Just because of a Christian belief?

A1
It's the chance you take. The choice is yours to make! After all, it ONLY affects you.

Q2
What if I'm praying to the wrong God? What if the Greeks had it right, and there are multiple gods? What if the Taoists were right? What if the Buddhists are right?

A2
Same as A1

Q3
If I lead a good life, as Jesus wanted me to live it, but I don't believe in God, would God still allow me to go to hell? If so, I don't see what's so great about God.

A3
That is but one of......MANY things Jesus speaks. Most importantly, the way to eternal life is through Jesus, and acceptance of him. Being a good guy will not suffice.

Q4
Seems to me, priority one should be how you treated your fellow man while you were on Earth, not whether you actually believed in God or not.

A4
Although in your mind, I have no doubt that your own opinion of the "Heavenly Hoyle" and it's attendant rules are paramount. I don't think God shares your view................because, it's His way, or the HIGHWAY TO HELL........sing it Brian!!!!

For answers to this and other life questions like it, please consult your local King James.

First, answers to questions one and two aren't much of an answer. I'm supposed to "take a chance" on the religion that is correct, and if I'm right I go to heaven , and if I'm wrong I go to hell? Seems ridiculous.

As for answers 3 and 4, so I'm going to be rejected from Heaven if I'm a good person but don't believe in God? What about the guy who grows up in Iraq who is a good person, but is raised Muslim. He never gets exposed to God, because where he lives humans teach of Islam and Allah. He's going to go to hell? God would thereby reject any human from heaven based mainly on their geographical location. Asians and Indians tend not to believe in God, they mostly follow Buddhism and Hinduism. People in the middle east tend to be Islamic. That doesn't seem like a gracious and just God to me - in fact it sounds almost racist.

You're telling me that God would send anyone to hell who doesn't believe in him, without even considering the fact that people China and India, which comprise 40% of the Earth's population, never even have the opportunity to accept God because it's not taught in their homes?

Makes no sense to me.

[12thMan]

[quote=Schneed10;351784]

Originally Posted by Hog1

First, answers to questions one and two aren't much of an answer. I'm supposed to "take a chance" on the religion that is correct, and if I'm right I go to heaven , and if I'm wrong I go to hell? Seems ridiculous.

As for answers 3 and 4, so I'm going to be rejected from Heaven if I'm a good person but don't believe in God? What about the guy who grows up in Iraq who is a good person, but is raised Muslim. He never gets exposed to God, because where he lives humans teach of Islam and Allah. He's going to go to hell? God would thereby reject any human from heaven based mainly on their geographical location. Asians and Indians tend not to believe in God, they mostly follow Buddhism and Hinduism. People in the middle east tend to be Islamic. That doesn't seem like a gracious and just God to me - in fact it sounds almost racist.

You're telling me that God would send anyone to hell who doesn't believe in him, without even considering the fact that people China and India, which comprise 40% of the Earth's population, never even have the opportunity to accept God because it's not taught in their homes?

Makes no sense to me.

Of course it doesn't make sense. But faith doesn't make sense, does it?

[Schneed10]

[quote=12thMan;351786]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Of course it doesn't make sense. But faith doesn't make sense, does it?

Which is exactly why I can't believe in it. There's not even consistency and evenhandedness, even if you ASSUME God exists.

You can be a decent human being living in a culture with little to no exposure to Christianity, but according to the Bible, you're going to Hell. The Bible also claims God to be just, loving, and forgiving.

Can you reconcile this for me? I certainly can't.

[Lady Brave]

[quote=Schneed10;351784]

Originally Posted by Hog1

First, answers to questions one and two aren't much of an answer. I'm supposed to "take a chance" on the religion that is correct, and if I'm right I go to heaven , and if I'm wrong I go to hell? Seems ridiculous.

As for answers 3 and 4, so I'm going to be rejected from Heaven if I'm a good person but don't believe in God? What about the guy who grows up in Iraq who is a good person, but is raised Muslim. He never gets exposed to God, because where he lives humans teach of Islam and Allah. He's going to go to hell? God would thereby reject any human from heaven based mainly on their geographical location. Asians and Indians tend not to believe in God, they mostly follow Buddhism and Hinduism. People in the middle east tend to be Islamic. That doesn't seem like a gracious and just God to me - in fact it sounds almost racist.

You're telling me that God would send anyone to hell who doesn't believe in him, without even considering the fact that people China and India, which comprise 40% of the Earth's population, never even have the opportunity to accept God because it's not taught in their homes?

Makes no sense to me.

There are christians and missionaries everywhere in the world. Also, Christian satellite television has exploded in the past 20 years. I would find it very hard to believe that in this day and age a person could go through their entire life and have not heard the gospel at least once.

[Schneed10]

[quote=Lady Brave;351788]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

There are christians and missionaries everywhere in the world. Also, Christian satellite television has exploded in the past 20 years. I would find it very hard to believe that in this day and age a person could go through their entire life and have not heard the gospel at least once.

So then it's reasonable for Hindus in India or Buddhists in China to eschew the beliefs that were taught to them in school, by their parents at home, and practiced by everyone in their villages in favor of the beliefs taught by the ONE local Christian missionary in the village and the Christian sattellite TV? God's still going to send them to hell?

Harsh.

[Monksdown]

[quote=Lady Brave;351788]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

There are christians and missionaries everywhere in the world. Also, Christian satellite television has exploded in the past 20 years. I would find it very hard to believe that in this day and age a person could go through their entire life and have not heard the gospel at least once.

They've heard it, but like most QVC commercials, they recognize the sales pitch, and quickly change the channel to the NFL Network.

It must be difficult to legitimize your faith when you are compared to evangelists. Smack on the forehead, "You're healed!"

[saden1]

Originally Posted by Monksdown

They've heard it, but like most QVC commercials, they recognize the sales pitch, and quickly change the channel to the NFL Network.

It must be difficult to legitimize your faith when you are compared to evangelists. Smack on the forehead, "You're healed!"

Bravo! Standing Ovation!

[12thMan]

[quote=Monksdown;351809]

Originally Posted by Lady Brave

They've heard it, but like most QVC commercials, they recognize the sales pitch, and quickly change the channel to the NFL Network.

It must be difficult to legitimize your faith when you are compared to evangelists. Smack on the forehead, "You're healed!"

Let's just say for a minute, that there are phony Evaneglists...wouldn't it be right to also assume, at least by that logic, that there are those who are truly authentic; perhaps true messengers sent from the Lord?

[Monksdown]

If we label them "phony." Logic would imply that their would need to be some authentic messengers. True.

I don't think so, myself. Because I don't believe that there is any substance to the message.

Two reasons for my post;
1. to make you laugh.
2. to argue that the proliferation of TV worship has had negative side effects as well as positive(from your view).

The Sunday morning TV shows are in my opinion, negative for two big reasons. They are catering to the ignorant, and now lazy American populous. And i don't know about you Private Pile, but fat and stupid are not the way I want to go through life.

I apologize if my opinions upset you. Prayer does work, but not because you're talking to god. But because you're talking to yourself. And introspection is a very good medicine.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by Monksdown

If we label them "phony." Logic would imply that their would need to be some authentic messengers. True.

I don't think so, myself. Because I don't believe that there is any substance to the message.

Two reasons for my post;
1. to make you laugh.
2. to argue that the proliferation of TV worship has had negative side effects as well as positive(from your view).

The Sunday morning TV shows are in my opinion, negative for two big reasons. They are catering to the ignorant, and now lazy American populous. And i don't know about you Private Pile, but fat and stupid are not the way I want to go through life.

I apologize if my opinions upset you. Prayer does work, but not because you're talking to god. But because you're talking to yourself. And introspection is a very good medicine.

Hmm..without nitpicking here, I think there is a nugget of truth in what you said about Sunday morning TV church services. But I don't think that's just a religious phenomenon, I think it's partially cultural and partially religious driven.

Regarding prayer, the biblical definition of prayer most definitely involves God. Without fail, if you search the scriptures, you'll find that men and women, during the act of prayer are seeking God in some way. It's not a matter of meditation as most Eastern religions or schools of thought might categorize it. Just to be clear, I'm not saying Christianity owns exclusive rights to the word or term "prayer", but to the Christian and to the Budist, prayer may carry two different connotations.

[Crazyhorse1]

[quote=Lady Brave;351788]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

There are christians and missionaries everywhere in the world. Also, Christian satellite television has exploded in the past 20 years. I would find it very hard to believe that in this day and age a person could go through their entire life and have not heard the gospel at least once.

Oh, only primitive people in the past got thrown into hell for not believing in Jesus, of whom they had never heard. Makes me feel much better about God's fairness.

[saden1]

[quote=Schneed10;351784]

Originally Posted by Hog1

As for answers 3 and 4, so I'm going to be rejected from Heaven if I'm a good person but don't believe in God? What about the guy who grows up in Iraq who is a good person, but is raised Muslim. He never gets exposed to God, because where he lives humans teach of Islam and Allah. He's going to go to hell? God would thereby reject any human from heaven based mainly on their geographical location. Asians and Indians tend not to believe in God, they mostly follow Buddhism and Hinduism. People in the middle east tend to be Islamic. That doesn't seem like a gracious and just God to me - in fact it sounds almost racist.

Some clarifications are in order. How does one say God in Chinese (神) or French (Dieu) or Italian (Dio)? Allah is the Arabic word for God. Even Christian and Jewish Arabs refer to God as Allah.

Allah -> God
God -> Allah

I would also like to add that Muslims believe in Jesus, just not as the Son of God.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by saden1

Some clarifications are in order. How does one say God in Chinese (神) or French (Dieu) or Italian (Dio)? Allah is the Arabic word for God. Even Christian and Jewish Arabs refer to God as Allah.

Allah -> God
God -> Allah

I would also like to add that Muslims believe in Jesus, just not as the Son of God.

Yes, but the bigger point is the various religions contain varying teachings and views on the afterlife.