I am an atheist.

[Platypus]

There you are then... because not every prayer is answered on demand, we state "prayers clearly don't get answered".

We state that only because Jesus promises that prayers are answered (refs given on that website)

EDIT: ignore, I see this has been covered. Damn, work getting in the way of CUK

[OwlHoot]

No worries, I would just pray for these unendurable consequences to become ones which are pleasant for everyone.

Assuming, if your prayer was answered, there would be anyone or anything around to feel pleasure like that ...

[MyUserName]

Assuming, if your prayer was answered, there would be anyone or anything around to feel pleasure like that ...

If there was no one left I would just pray that they all came back.

[NotAllThere]

God does not promise to fulfil every prayer. The context is clear - if you ask for something that's in his will, you get it. You're confusing God with Santa.

You're falling into the same trap that many atheologians do. You construct a hypothetical world that you think the God of your own imagination would create, and then ask why the world isn't like that. Why do you expect that if there were a God, he'd create a hedonistic universe with all pleasure and no pain? That's confusing heaven with earth.

If God had bothered to create a world in which people don't lose limbs, then he wouldn't have to heal anyone. What a meany.

[MyUserName]

God does not promise to fulfil every prayer. The context is clear - if you ask for something that's in his will, you get it. You're confusing God with Santa.

I think Jesus just says "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son"

He does not stipulate that is must be in God's will. If it is already in God's will then what is the point of praying for it?

Why do you expect that if there were a God, he'd create a hedonistic universe with all pleasure and no pain?

Because he can? I certainly would. Why would he create a place full of suffering and pain when he could, just as easily, not include the suffering and pain.

God explicitly chooses to add suffering to everyone's life. God already knows what choices you are going to make and what will happen to you - why bother with Earth, why not just put people in heaven and hell to being with?

[Gibbon]

OK - why does God create an animal if it has no purpose and no soul?

Why was God unable to create humans in such a way that they have free will, yet choose to never do evil?

NOT in the Christian understanding of God, which the argument from evil is attempting to dispose of.

God wouldn't.

It wouldn't be free will, or he's not omnipotent.

Christianity isn't rational.

[Paddy]

I think Jesus just says "And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son"

He does not stipulate that is must be in God's will. If it is already in God's will then what is the point of praying for it?


Because he can? I certainly would. Why would he create a place full of suffering and pain when he could, just as easily, not include the suffering and pain.

God explicitly chooses to add suffering to everyone's life. God already knows what choices you are going to make and what will happen to you - why bother with Earth, why not just put people in heaven and hell to being with?

And why does God have ‘Chosen People’ and act as realestate agent and give them the promised land?

[Platypus]

God does not promise to fulfil every prayer. The context is clear - if you ask for something that's in his will, you get it. You're confusing God with Santa.

Looks to me like he does promise exactly that. No contextual caveats apply.

Matthew 7:7 Jesus says:

Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

[sasguru]

What would be more interesting to discuss is why some people cannot let go of the human artefact that is religion.
I can understand the comfort factor, but the complete and total lack of evidence of any divine/supernatural intervention is telling.

[northernladuk]

What would be more interesting to discuss is why some people cannot let go of the human artefact that is religion.
I can understand the comfort factor, but the complete and total lack of evidence of any divine/supernatural intervention is telling.

Problem is they are indoctrinated from such a young age the option of free choice has gone. When they are told to follow god at the same time as use a knife and fork, use the toilet to do your business etc how will they ever be able to question it.