Let Us Pray.

[wildwood]

If you believe in God, do you not think s/he is a bit of a bighead expecting everyone to pray to him, some five times per day, when the omnipotent One knows what you are thinking at all times anyway?

[modeller]

For the record god originally asked for 50 times a day and Muhammad had to go backwards and forwards to negotiate a lower number.

http://exmuslimblog.com/bargaining-with-god-how-prayer-in-islam-went-from-50-to-5-times-a-day/

This fits in with the Christian view that we humans were created for the sole purpose of worshiping god.

[RATTER15]

^^^^ I really struggle to understand why anybody would believe in such absolute nonsense.

[jim360]

Indeed. I bet there are some people out there who'd say the same of Science - Evolution in particular. I'm not meaning to compare the two, but if otherwise sane people believe "nonsense" it may be the case that you are the one who is wrong to call it nonsense!

I don't really think you are wrong, but it's worth making sure you never stop thinking about it. After all, if the story of most religions is to be believed, it's a bad thing to be wrong about.

[naomi24]

//if the story of most religions is to be believed,...//

Since they all contradict themselves, and in some instances they are clearly in error, none of the stories of the Abrahamic religions can be considered accurate. Therefore it's irrational to believe any of them.

[Graham-W]

If your God had created you from the dust and promised you an eternity in paradise, wouldn't you be pleased to praise him 5 times a day?
Seems like a fair exchange to me.

[RATTER15]

Graham, if that was the case then maybe, but that is not so, it is unbelievably ridiculous to believe such silly stories!

[Graham-W]

Ratter. I'm an atheist, but if others need to believe in a god, who am I to take away their crutch.

[RATTER15]

Im not taking anything away from anybody either, anybody can believe what they like, I just speak the truth.

[naomi24]

Graham, fine if they need a crutch and keep it to themselves, but when they attempt to trip others up with it, it becomes fair game for criticism.

[Graham-W]

LOL @ naomi24

The image of a swarm of god botherers tripping atheists with their religious crutches will amuse me for a long time.

[jim360]

Yes, Naomi, but when they do not try to foist it on us but just live their lives and practise their religion quietly, pandering words about like "ridiculous nonsense" as Ratter is doing helps nobody and is just plain rude. I don't see that it's too much to ask that we not use such inflammatory language.

[modeller]

jim //I don't see that it's too much to ask that we not use such inflammatory language//
Jim what are you talking about ,( "ridiculous nonsense") Inflammatory ??
What nonsense ! We are giving an opinion with not an expletive in sight.

[RATTER15]

Jim, im just giving my honest opinion, not directed at any particular individual but if the hat fits......
The Bible says I should be stoned to death for my disbelief, that isn't exactly helpful now is it!

[jim360]

The thing is that even though there are many Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Jews etc., who probably don't really know that much about their faith, there are also quite a few who do. Who have read into, and studied it, far more than I ever have. All I'm saying is that, while I still think them wrong, their position, those who have studied it, is worthy I think of a bit more respect than "ridiculous nonsense".

[woofgang]

I have it on Good Authority that anyone who loves dogs is okay with god.... :-)

[RATTER15]

Sorry Jim, it deserves no more respect than me believing in the Easter Bunny!
I still think it is ridiculous nonsense.

The belief that a cosmic Jewish Zombie who was his own father can make you live forever if you symbolically eat his flesh and telepathically tell him you accept him as your master, so he can remove an evil force from your soul that is present in humanity because a rib-woman was convinced by a talking snake to eat from a magical tree.

Of course it deserves great respect!

[RATTER15]

Woofgang, I do believe in God but I spell it Dog! :-))

[woofgang]

Ratter, she says that's fine!

[RATTER15]

Lol thats a good thing Woofgang, I will look forward to chatting with her. :-)

[woofgang]

see see....its a miracle!! someone who believes in god and someone who doesn't having a friendly exchange in R and S!!