Prayers

Torry_Quine

notanewuser wrote: »

And people who appear good but actually aren't. Look at Mother Theresa! :eek:

Who did a lot of good, don't believe everything you read. :mad:

notanewuser

There's a theory that says that religion came about because early man couldn't explain what happened after death - and that needing to think that death isn't the end is a chemical impulse in humans - so made up a nice place that we go to (and so most religions have an element of that). The bad place came about when it was discovered that religious belief could be used to control the masses.

It's propaganda, that's all. There's no superiority in "believing" - it's a mental illness to all intents and purposes!

notanewuser

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Who did a lot of good, don't believe everything you read. :mad:

So did Jimmy Saville.

Torry_Quine

notanewuser wrote: »

There's a theory that says that religion came about because early man couldn't explain what happened after death - and that needing to think that death isn't the end is a chemical impulse in humans - so made up a nice place that we go to (and so most religions have an element of that). The bad place came about when it was discovered that religious belief could be used to control the masses.

It's propaganda, that's all. There's no superiority in "believing" - it's a mental illness to all intents and purposes!

Interesting theory.

It's not akin to a mentl illness in any way and I can just imagine the backlash if I suggested the same of those who don't believe. It certainly doesn't make me superior that I believe.

Torry_Quine

notanewuser wrote: »

So did Jimmy Saville.

The point being! There are good and bad Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheists etc.

bylromarha

I know this has moved on from the original question now, but yes, I've had prayers answered.

Most amazing one was being in a room full of people praying for a leg to grow. The lady, who I'd known for a couple of years at that point, had worn a built up shoe since childhood. I saw her wear it every Sunday and watched her shuffley hop along when I went to her house and she was shoeless.

I watched her leg grow. She sat with her legs in front of her and the leg was shorter. We prayed and I watched her 2 feet become level - movement of about 6 inches. Couldn't quite believe what I was seeing - it blew my mind.

She hasn't needed a built up shoe since.

I've mentioned it on MSE a few times through the years and its always been poo poo'd, but no decent explanation has been given as to why it happened - collective brain power and +ve thought processes apparently.

Or obviously I'm lying as I "can't produce the medical evidence"

Or obviously she's a fake as "it would have been all over the news"

I saw her daughter for the first time in about 10 years a few weeks back and asked why her mum had never had been to the doctor to get the growth medically certified. She said her mum didn't need a doctor to confirm her leg had grown as it had grown and she knew it had grown and the doctor would say, yes, your leg is now longer. It was a waste of her time as people who didn't believe miracles happened would find a reason to not attribute it to God, so nothing would be gained from it.

notanewuser

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Interesting theory.

It's not akin to a mentl illness in any way and I can just imagine the backlash if I suggested the same of those who don't believe. It certainly doesn't make me superior that I believe.

If I talked to my kitchen wall and thought that it answered me, or was guiding me, or that it was responsible for creating the universe and setting the course for everything within it, I'd be of interest to mental health professionals.

Where's the difference? At least my kitchen wall can be seen/touched/enjoyed by everybody!

notanewuser

Torry_Quine wrote: »

The point being! There are good and bad Christians, Muslims, Jews, atheists etc.

Including Mother Teresa, by all accounts.

Person_one

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Interesting theory.

It's not akin to a mentl illness in any way and I can just imagine the backlash if I suggested the same of those who don't believe. It certainly doesn't make me superior that I believe.

While I wouldn't describe religious belief as mental illness, there is definitely evidence to support the idea that some figures in history who were seen as prophets/deeply religious probably would be diagnosed with something if they were alive today.

Hearing voices that give you orders you feel compelled to obey, feeling as though you know what's really going on when nobody else does, seeing terrifying visions of things that nobody else can see, fits, speaking in tongues, etc etc. All indicators that perhaps all was not well for people.

Torry_Quine

notanewuser wrote: »

If I talked to my kitchen wall and thought that it answered me, or was guiding me, or that it was responsible for creating the universe and setting the course for everything within it, I'd be of interest to mental health professionals.

Where's the difference? At least my kitchen wall can be seen/touched/enjoyed by everybody!

It's called faith for a reason.

notanewuser wrote: »

Including Mother Teresa, by all accounts.

What good and bad, like all of us.