A Test on The POWER of Prayer

[_mentalgymnast]

Kind of a cynical thread.

I agree. But that's not unusual around here.

I don't think that it accomplishes anything to 'diss' God. I'm sure there are some underlying psychological reasons to do so, but other than that...it's rather a fruitless/non-productive enterprise, in my opinion.

Either there is a caring and loving creator/God or there isn't. If there is, then there isn't any use in second guessing Him.

Regards,
MG

[_Doctor CamNC4Me]

Either there is a caring and loving creator/God or there isn't. If there is, then there isn't any use in second guessing Him.

Maybe god isn't caring and is a sadist? Have you ever considered that?

- Doc

[_Runtu]

Here. Let's lighten it up for you a bit, Runtu!

- Doc

Sorry, just a bit touchy about this subject after all the stress of the last couple of weeks.

[_mentalgymnast]

Either there is a caring and loving creator/God or there isn't. If there is, then there isn't any use in second guessing Him.

Maybe god isn't caring and is a sadist? Have you ever considered that?

- Doc

No.

Regards,
MG

[_SteelHead]

Maybe god isn't caring and is a sadist? Have you ever considered that?

- Doc

No.

Regards,
MG

Orders one guy to murder his son for no reason other that to demonstrate obedience, requires his followers to practice circumcision , forces another guy at swordpoint to take extra wives...... perhaps you should consider it.

[_mentalgymnast]

Maybe god isn't caring and is a sadist? Have you ever considered that?

- Doc

No.

Regards,
MG

Orders one guy to murder his son for no reason other that to demonstrate obedience...

Does God have the right to take away and/or give life?

Job 1:21 (KJV) Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

...requires his followers to practice circumcision...

At one time, yes. Thankfully not today. But the WofW may be just as much of a test in obedience for some.

...forces another guy at swordpoint to take extra wives...

At one time, yes. Thankfully not today. Today we're asked to get just ONE wife to the Celestial Kingdom. And that's just as difficult for some as it was for Joseph to practice polygamy.

...perhaps you should consider it.

I really don't see another alternative. Unless it's becoming an agnostic/atheist. But I don't see that as an option that 'floats my boat', so to speak. If it works for you, fine.

Regards,
MG

[_Themis]

It would be ridiculously simple to test the power of prayer in Mormonism.

Set up a test that involved a large group of patients with a similar serious disease, prognosis, age and whatever. Divide the group into two. Submit the patients names from one group to the temple, daily for a period of time, then compare the groups to see if there is any difference in outcome.

Rinse repeat a few times with various diseases and groups.

It ought to be clear if prayer has any affect.

We don't even need to do that. The church claims priesthood power to heal. We could look at groups of people in and out of the church, as well as non-religious groups who are in need of healing and see if LDS members have better outcomes then other comparable non-religious patients.

[_Themis]

Orders one guy to murder his son for no reason other that to demonstrate obedience...

Does God have the right to take away and/or give life?

I don't think that is the point. The real problem from this story is the idea that one should do what ever they think God has commanded them to do no matter how bad it is. This is what fuels religious terrorism.

At one time, yes. Thankfully not today. Today we're asked to get just ONE wife to the Celestial Kingdom. And that's just as difficult for some as it was for Joseph to practice polygamy.

Really? Anyone telling you that today you would not believe for a second. Amazing how bias can make us accept some of the dumbest crap excuses guys like Joseph Smith can come up with to excuse horrible behavior. It could never be that Joseph wanted lots of sex with many women. Never heard of that motivation before.

[_mentalgymnast]

Orders one guy to murder his son for no reason other that to demonstrate obedience...

Does God have the right to take away and/or give life?

I don't think that is the point.

I think that is exactly the point.

Regards,
MG

[Guest]

The real problem from this story is the idea that one should do what ever they think God has commanded them to do no matter how bad it is. This is what fuels religious terrorism.

It is a concern...big time...that religious terrorism is often based upon 'what God told me to do'.

Granted.

The question, again, is whether or not God has the right to take and give life...and whether or not, in this instance (Abraham and Isaac)...God was teaching Abraham this exact lesson.

That is, God giveth and God taketh away.

If nothing else, Abraham learned that lesson. Yes, he did learn obedience along the way also.

Regards,
MG