Re: I don't know that I'm a "top religiologist", but here goes:
Darth_Katie Send a noteboard - 08/09/2011 06:35:55 PM
Many times, if someone prays for something that is good, that is in keeping with God's will, God will grant it. He may have been waiting for the prayer, because praying and asking shows humility and gratitude, and a willingness to follow Him.
I also recently heard that God may grant blessings, but that doesn't mean we receive them. We have to do our part and be worthy and ready.
Does that make sense? (That's sincerity mode. I'm not sure if I explained it very well.)
Hm... that makes some sense. Though it gets a little odd when you drop into specifics (I pray for my uncle to be cured of cancer. He is cured. Even though he's a good man, if I hadn't prayed, would he not have been cured? Etc.)
That's the eternal question, isn't it?
Perhaps a good metaphor would be a boss who is willing to give someone a promotion, but not until they ask for it- if they aren't able to ask for it, then they're not ready to get it.
This is closer, I think. Grace and faith and understanding are gifts from God, but you have to be willing to receive them. Prayer is supposed to be less of a checklist of things you want from God and more of a chance to open to your heart to Him and discern His will. That's what I was taught, anyway, and I find it much more satisfying than eternal petitions.
Do you remember the parable of the old woman and the mean judge? It was once interpreted to me that WE are the judge and God is the woman. It's not that if you keep asking for something eventually God will give it to you, but that God is constantly trying to connect with us, but what we really need to do is shut up and listen.
Plus, as man is fallible and doesn't consider everything, it seems like the best prayer would be "Dear God, please do what you can to make life as good and happy as possible for my family, myself, and all of humanity."
This is very close. I usually go for "Help me to know what I should do to make life as good and happy as possible for my family, myself, and all of humanity."
In any case, thanks.
Insert theme music here.
I figured I'd put RAFO's top religiologists on the case
08/09/2011 02:03:55 PM
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well I am not religious but that seems a bit of a strawman argument
08/09/2011 05:01:57 PM
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Hm, so there's a broad Divine Plan, but it doesn't matter either way who wins the Super Bowl?
08/09/2011 05:25:23 PM
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Your argument only works if you get to decide who and what god is, like I said strawman
08/09/2011 06:32:17 PM
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I don't know that I'm a "top religiologist", but here goes:
08/09/2011 05:35:26 PM
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Re: I don't know that I'm a "top religiologist", but here goes:
08/09/2011 05:53:36 PM
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Re: I don't know that I'm a "top religiologist", but here goes:
08/09/2011 06:35:55 PM
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I can totally do this.
08/09/2011 06:57:19 PM
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Believe it or not, this is a thought I had when I was little and christian.
08/09/2011 07:39:24 PM
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Predestination is something only strict Calvinists believe.
08/09/2011 08:53:59 PM
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Didn't mean to bring up predestination.
08/09/2011 09:17:19 PM
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Sorry. That's how I read it...
09/09/2011 12:48:07 AM
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I think that looking for an absolute answer re: religion is pretty silly.
08/09/2011 08:22:16 PM
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That's a tough one...
09/09/2011 01:27:25 PM
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I'm treating this like a survey even though you didn't make it one: It's about a relationship.
12/09/2011 11:23:45 PM
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