How does Prayer work?

[RAMCLAP]

The gospel isn't offensive. It's the fanclub of the gospel that think they have a right to dictate other people's lives based on an antiquated book, that is offensive. Many Christians living in the U.S. have a serious persecution complex issue, which is silly, considering they are one of the most privileged groups in the country. Churches being run like businesses still reap an array of tax advantages. Both the House and Senate are majority Christian by a huge margin. There is little to nothing to complain about being a Christian in America.

So because you have a new book you can tell people what to believe? Who complained about being a Christian? Who complained about being persecuted? Don't quote me and then make straw men about things I didn't say.

[colossians323]

extortion would be the correct word for it in any other situation but because its "god"................

So if God is extortion, aren't bhuddists practicing their own form of extortion. If you are not enlightened enough, don't you have the threat of not advancing? Who is the judge of who is enlightened enough and what you become reincarnated as? It would appear the extortion of buddhists is far worse than most religions because there is no certainty. You have no idea who or what you will be reincarnated as, and it all depends on what enlightenment you think you have? What force determines if you're worthy of being a buddhist or not?

Help me understand this a little bit.

[colossians323]

The gospel isn't offensive. It's the fanclub of the gospel that think they have a right to dictate other people's lives based on an antiquated book, that is offensive.

Whats are your beefs with the 'antiquated book'? What fan club?

Many Christians living in the U.S. have a serious persecution complex issue, which is silly,

Care to site how many 'many' are? other wise you are just saying what you are 'feeling'? Facts seem important to support your claims.

considering they are one of the most privileged groups in the country.

How so?

Churches being run like businesses still reap an array of tax advantages.

Shouldnt they run like a business since they are audited the same way you, i and all other businesses are? That seems strange to say they run like a business???

Both the House and Senate are majority Christian by a huge margin. There is little to nothing to complain about being a Christian in America.

Care to site your source for this? Obama says he is christian, but on national tv says he is a moslem. His actions are more in line with being a moslem so I would have to take him for his word. Anyone can say they're a christian, it garners votes. Do you think if the press didn't defend obama around every corner that they would think he is a christian?

[bohoki]

its like barrel break in procedures it works for some people

[MotoriousRacing]

Prayers may or may not be "answered" in this life, but what prayer does do in this life is strengthen your relationship with God, leading to salvation.

[brewdickle]

Whats are your beefs with the 'antiquated book'? What fan club?

Like I said, no beef with written words, as they are just words. It's the people that use those words in attempt to dictate how OTHERS should live their lives, that is offensive.

Care to site how many 'many' are? other wise you are just saying what you are 'feeling'? Facts seem important to support your claims.

Well yep, it could be 5 it could be 5 million. It certainly is how I "feel".

Shouldnt they run like a business since they are audited the same way you, i and all other businesses are? That seems strange to say they run like a business???

You missed the point. You are also incorrect. Churches are not audited "the same way you, i and all other businesses are." Congress has imposed special limitations, found in section 7611 of the Internal Revenue Code, on how and when the IRS may conduct civil tax inquiries and examinations of churches. In addition, you stated churches should be run like a business? Then you should also agree that they be taxed like a business (which they are not).

Care to site your source for this? Obama says he is christian, but on national tv says he is a moslem. His actions are more in line with being a moslem so I would have to take him for his word. Anyone can say their a christian, it garners votes. Do you think if the press didn't defend obama around every corner that they would think he is a christian?

I never mentioned the executive branch. I stated Senate and House which are parts of the legislative branch. If you're still interested in sources see here Senate and House for religious affiliations.

So are you going to provide sources for any of the claims that you made?

[brewdickle]

So because you have a new book you can tell people what to believe?

What? You have it backwards.

Who complained about being a Christian? Who complained about being persecuted? Don't quote me and then make straw men about things I didn't say.

Nothing strawman-like going on here. You were complaining about "the left" trying to shut everyone up. You complained about being banned, being imprisoned, and being executed. Sorry, but the hardships of Christians in other countries are not YOURS.

[hasserl]

OP, you know what your problem is? You're asking too many questions. It's easy to understand prayer.

Prayer is just talking to God. Forget about omnipotence and omniscience and all those big words. Don't think too much. We are but humble slaves servants who couldn't possibly comprehend the mind of our loving, heavenly master Father.

Praying is just like having a conversation with a friend. Except that you can't see your friend or hear him. You just have to have faith that he's there, and don't even think about going down the whole, "How do I know He's there" path, that's just the Devil trying to trick you.

One other thing about prayer. You don't tell Him what you want. He doesn't care what you want. You ask Him what He wants, and then just do whatever He tells you to do.

Bottom line is, if something good happens, you give God all the credit. If something bad happens, you take all the blame. Simple.

He offers you a choice, then tells you that if you make the wrong choice you'll spend eternity in conscious torment. It's extortion.

So the omniscient God made Adam and Eve knowing full well that they would disobey Him, and then decided He would punish every human who would ever live for someone else's sin. We deserve nothing less than eternal torture for the heinous crime of bring born, even though it was God who made us in the first place.

But wait, he offers us a chance for salvation through Jesus. We are offered a pardon from a crime we didn't commit. That is profoundly immoral. You don't get to throw someone a lifesaver and then call yourself merciful when you're the one who threw them overboard in the first place.

And God may not force himself onto us so we can't call him a rapist, but He will punish us if we don't choose him, so He's more like the abusive boyfriend who kills you if you leave. We're never free to go. In the end He does what He wants.

You may want to read the rules for participating in this forum again. Seems to me you are at best violating the intent, if not way over the line. Kestryl has been pretty clear on this. You don't have to agree with others, but snide and insulting comments aren't appreciated or acceptable.

[RAMCLAP]

What? You have it backwards.



Nothing strawman-like going on here. You were complaining about "the left" trying to shut everyone up. You complained about being banned, being imprisoned, and being executed. Sorry, but the hardships of Christians in other countries are not YOURS.

I listed no complaint. Just stating facts. By your own logic you don't get "complain" about how others are trying to run your life since no one can in America.

[ZirconJohn]

Short answer...

It doesn't.

Shorter answer - 'FAITH'

[AmericanRedoubt]

Read this book for your scientific answer: https://smile.amazon.com/Healing-Wor.../dp/0062502522

Bottom line summary, in his tests prayer worked for healing in a scientifically measurable way beyond placebo, regardless of religious tradition, and unlike energy didn't diminish based on distance or time. Yet science can't explain why it works.

http://www.dosseydossey.com/larry/default.html

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Larry+dossey

Long live the Republic. God Speed.

[mossy]

So if God is extortion, aren't bhuddists practicing their own form of extortion. If you are not enlightened enough, don't you have the threat of not advancing? Who is the judge of who is enlightened enough and what you become reincarnated as? It would appear the extortion of buddhists is far worse than most religions because there is no certainty. You have no idea who or what you will be reincarnated as, and it all depends on what enlightenment you think you have? What force determines if you're worthy of being a buddhist or not?

Help me understand this a little bit.

No force determines if you become a buddhist. Anyone is worthy of walking the buddhist path. Karma is the way we advance. You can build up good karma by doing good things. Do bad things and you get bad karma. There is no threat with Buddhism. If you dont do the work you dont move on. You will stay in the cycle and have another opportunity to continue your practice. Do the work and get out, don't do the work you stay in till you do the work.
With christianity its "you are a sinner who is destined for destruction, live like i say or its eternal damnation".

[hasserl]

No force determines if you become a buddhist. Anyone is worthy of walking the buddhist path. Karma is the way we advance. You can build up good karma by doing good things. Do bad things and you get bad karma. There is no threat with Buddhism. If you dont do the work you dont move on. You will stay in the cycle and have another opportunity to continue your practice. Do the work and get out, don't do the work you stay in till you do the work.
With christianity its "you are a sinner who is destined for destruction, live like i say or its eternal damnation".

You keep misrepresenting the Christian faith, salvation has nothing to do with "living how God says or it's eternal damnation", that is just not accurate, please stop saying that. Salvation is a gift given to all, based NOT on what they do or do not do, but based on the work of Christ. All receive it in faith (even you), that is all.

[bigmike82]

You can build up good karma by doing good things. Do bad things and you get bad karma.

I was told once that the aspect of Karma isn't something *you* yourself bank, but rather is banked cosmically. That is...bad deeds don't give YOU bad karma, but everything bad karma. Vice versa, good deeds don't go into your bank, but are good for everything.

You may want to read the rules for participating in this forum again. Seems to me you are at best violating the intent, if not way over the line. Kestryl has been pretty clear on this. You don't have to agree with others, but snide and insulting comments aren't appreciated or acceptable.

None of what he said has been that bad.

You keep misrepresenting the Christian faith

Christianity is not monolithic. There are plenty of sects that demand obedience and for you to live a certain way. How many fundies have said that gays go to hell, for example?

[mossy]

I was told once that the aspect of Karma isn't something *you* yourself bank, but rather is banked cosmically. That is...bad deeds don't give YOU bad karma, but everything bad karma. Vice versa, good deeds don't go into your bank, but are good for everything.

That's the new age view. Different schools have different views on karma.