Talking to God boosts self-control and emotional stability, claims study

[Dustin]

Too many people have an image of God as a vending machine...put in a prayer and out comes my favorable outcome. God speaks to all of us, but we don't all want to hear what HE has to say. We often don't even want to look for his answer (just a clue...it isn't necessarily in voices in your head.) If we hear HIS answer we might have to actually listen and follow. And that's hard.

If god is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent, why can't he just answer me with words?

No, scratch that. I shouldn't even have to pray because he is supposed to know what I'm already thinking. He created me after all.

[catcherinthewry]

A wise man I once knew had this to say about that situation: "He answers every prayer -- but sometimes the answer is 'No'."

Like when a parent prays "please protect my child who is in school from the tornado that is moving his way".

Since May 20th I've been wondering why an omnipotent God would answer NO to that prayer. Can anyone here help me with that one?

[catcherinthewry]

That's true, Sid but I'm not trying to bait any believers. I honestly would like to know their answer. And I don't consider "we just aren't smart enough to understand" a satisfactory answer. That's just a cop out.

[kelroy55]

[Prunepicker]

Like when a parent prays "please protect my child who is in school from
the tornado that is moving his way".

Since May 20th I've been wondering why an omnipotent God would
answer NO to that prayer. Can anyone here help me with that one?

God isn't a lackey or a jinni in a bottle. He's not obligated to do anything
except what's His will.

Also, and this isn't a cop out, Satan has been allowed to have much
control on Earth.

[Chadanth]

How does satan control the weather? Like does she/he/it move the atoms? Or convince us to build weak school structures?

Gay marriage controls the weather, everyone knows that.

Btw, is it a sign if even greater self-control and emotional stability if god talks back?

[catcherinthewry]

Also, and this isn't a cop out, Satan has been allowed to have much
control on Earth.

That's another thing I have trouble with when it comes to christianity, why does an omnipotent God allow Satan to exist, let alone have power on earth? I consider myself an agnostic (because I can't be sure that there is no God), but I wonder how christians rationalize flaws in logic such as this one.

[Chadanth]

Most scientific or logical atheists are agnostics. That doesn't mean your not an atheist. Just that your a humble observer of the scientific process.

Agnostic covers a pretty broad range of beliefs, some lean more atheist, some lean more deist. Hardcore atheists are actually somewhat rare, in my experience.

[Prunepicker]

That's another thing I have trouble with when it comes to christianity,
why does an omnipotent God allow Satan to exist, let alone have power
on earth? I consider myself an agnostic (because I can't be sure that
there is no God), but I wonder how christians rationalize flaws in logic
such as this one.

First of all, there are no flaws in logic. That's a misconception.

I'm curious, have you read the Bible? Unless you have you are at a
disadvantage to discuss the existence of God.

God gave man free will. Man decided to take things upon his own. God
allowed man to follow his own way. God provided direction. Man, on
his own, decided to ignore God's direction (Genesis 3).

Satan tried to take over Heaven and God cast him out. Man has a
choice to follow God or satan (lust of eyes, lust of the flesh and the
pride of life - 1 John 2:15-16)

[ThomPaine]

That's another thing I have trouble with when it comes to christianity, why does an omnipotent God allow Satan to exist, let alone have power on earth? I consider myself an agnostic (because I can't be sure that there is no God), but I wonder how christians rationalize flaws in logic such as this one.

Though i'm no longer a believer, I like Jim Kyles post (#6 on this thread).

[ThomPaine]

Definition of "extremist" = someone I disagree with or who disagrees with me and lets me know about it. LOL

I was thinking more along the lines of the Taliban, but if you choose to label people you disagree with as extremist, you may do so.

[Prunepicker]

I was thinking more along the lines of the Taliban, but if you choose to
label people you disagree with as extremist, you may do so.

You need to study the Bible. The taliban is nothing like Christianity.
Not that I'd ever expect you to know that. Would you care to provide
a sensible or logical basis for your antithetical approach to reason and
logic?

I honestly doubt you will. Logic and Reason aren't your strong suits.

[ThomPaine]

The German authors recruited 79 people, of whom 41 were Christian, 14 atheists, 10 agnostic and 14 belonged to other religions.

Read more: Does prayer help us resist temptation? Talking to God boosts self-control and emotional stability, claims study | Mail Online
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

...

[Prunepicker]

I would never expect tp to have a clue. He's so far off base.

[kelroy55]

You need to study the Bible. The taliban is nothing like Christianity.
Not that I'd ever expect you to know that. Would you care to provide
a sensible or logical basis for your antithetical approach to reason and
logic?

I honestly doubt you will. Logic and Reason aren't your strong suits.

Have you ever read the Koran? I doubt it but you attack the followers of it's teachings all the time. It appears logic and reason isn't your strong suit either.

[Bunty]

First of all, there are no flaws in logic. That's a misconception.

I'm curious, have you read the Bible? Unless you have you are at a
disadvantage to discuss the existence of God.

God gave man free will. Man decided to take things upon his own. God
allowed man to follow his own way. God provided direction. Man, on
his own, decided to ignore God's direction (Genesis 3).

Satan tried to take over Heaven and God cast him out. Man has a
choice to follow God or satan (lust of eyes, lust of the flesh and the
pride of life - 1 John 2:15-16)

In other words, God needs to prove to Satan, who tried to overthrow Him, that mankind will self destruct without God. Presumably, that will be proven true when world wide nuclear war is declared. So God is patiently waiting for that to happen. Don't want to give Satan the idea his wicked ways can work out well, too.

[Dubya61]

That's true, Sid but I'm not trying to bait any believers. I honestly would like to know their answer. And I don't consider "we just aren't smart enough to understand" a satisfactory answer. That's just a cop out.

If I were smart enough to understand a deity, then I would see that deity as a peer. My wife frequently lets me know I'm not a peer with God.

[Stew]

In other words, God needs to prove to Satan, who tried to overthrow Him, that mankind will self destruct without God. Presumably, that will be proven true when world wide nuclear war is declared. So God is patiently waiting for that to happen. Don't want to give Satan the idea his wicked ways can work out well, too.

I often wonder what makes Satan so ornery and why God puts up with his/her nonsense.

[kelroy55]

Seems Rush thinks the person many believe is closest to God is a Marxist.

Rush Limbaugh: Pope is preaching 'pure Marxism' ? CNN Belief Blog - CNN.com Blogs

[BBatesokc]

Personally, I'm Agnostic. That said, I would never take the George Carlin approach regarding religion (even though I found it funny) because I do believe that without it the world would be far worse off than with it.

I've had the pleasure and displeasure of working, knowing and volunteering with many that considered themselves very religious (mostly Christians).

Within that group I've seen complete hypocrisy - but I've also seen the moral compass that religion often imparts on those that are truly 'good people' and simply need an anchor or foundation to turn to when times are good and when times are bad.

I don't pray because it seems fruitless to me. But I do 'meditate' on a topic to help control and see beyond my emotional response to a situation.

I often see the benefits of prayer the same way.

[HangryHippo]

Personally, I'm Agnostic. That said, I would never take the George Carlin approach regarding religion (even though I found it funny) because I do believe that without it the world would be far worse off than with it.

I've had the pleasure and displeasure of working, knowing and volunteering with many that considered themselves very religious (mostly Christians).

Within that group I've seen complete hypocrisy - but I've also seen the moral compass that religion often imparts on those that are truly 'good people' and simply need an anchor or foundation to turn to when times are good and when times are bad.

I don't pray because it seems fruitless to me. But I do 'meditate' on a topic to help control and see beyond my emotional response to a situation.

I often see the benefits of prayer the same way.

Good post.

[Dustin]

I don't pray because it seems fruitless to me. But I do 'meditate' on a topic to help control and see beyond my emotional response to a situation.

I often see the benefits of prayer the same way.

My thoughts exactly.

[onthestrip]

Personally, I'm Agnostic. That said, I would never take the George Carlin approach regarding religion (even though I found it funny) because I do believe that without it the world would be far worse off than with it.

Really? you seem to be discounting the wars and constant terrorist attacks in the name of religion.

Regardless of wars and such, Japan is a country that is essentially non-religious and that hasnt negatively affected them. They have next to no crime and people are honest, friendly and of high morals.

[okcboomer]

Have you ever read the Koran? I doubt it but you attack the followers of it's teachings all the time. It appears logic and reason isn't your strong suit either.

Oh this answer should be classic.

[okcboomer]

Hey. My god is better than your god. Boom.