What is Prayer, really?

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Forums > All Posts > What is Prayer, really?

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09-23-2011, 05:33 PM

Veronica
Not Selected
Posts: 205

Since the beginning of Time, mankind has prayed to numerous Gods, or forces of nature, or to rocks and stones. I guess mankind got mixed results from these efforts. But did that stop him?

After awhile there must have been consensus that SOME GODS granted better results, & these gods were rewarded with more ritual sacrifices, or more organized worship services.

I can't say that the Volcano was a more punishing god than the god of the Waterfall, but it
must have scared the Hell out of our ancient ancestors. Maybe the Volcano was the first
iconic image of Hell that made our ancestors tremble with fear.

Now we have a few dozen kinds of gods and religions to choose from. Most of us worship in
a simple "tribal" way, believing whatever our parents & family taught us to believe.

So our religion (or spiritual awareness) is handed down like grannie's old furniture, as
our relatives go onward into the afterlife. And we cling to that same religion through
our entire existence, without giving it very much thought.

Before we shuffle off this mortal plane, maybe we should just try to open our eyes to
alternate beliefs. It could not hurt to open our spirit to fresh perspectives, even if
only for a week or two. See the world through new eyes. Awaken your intellect & spirit.

Your old comfortable faith will still be there to greet you afterward. Like your best
warm blanket waiting for you at bedtime. But your spirit will be fresh & clear, your
emotional understanding will be stimulated, & your awareness will be enhanced.

Nothing is better than going back to see life as a little child again. Or in my
case, -- I never did grow up:) Which gives me a good excuse to watch the eternal
magic of Walt Disney. --- See LINK: "The Circle of Life"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=cADgZqts9mM

03-27-2012, 05:20 PM

LWNate
Not Selected
Posts: 8

I hope all that believe in the power of prayer will follow this advice: Don't Vote. Pray.

04-02-2012, 03:34 AM

Veronica
Not Selected
Posts: 205

Hmmmm I KNOW I should not get involved in this issue. But how do we know what happened centuries ago? It is possible that we began as primitive creatures who LEARNED through Evolution to be the human beings we are today. If we are truly made in God's image, it is possible that he also has EVOLVED over time, to be more compassionate or more forgiving of the creatures he made.

Maybe his son Jesus was sent here to observe us, while living amongst us first hand, to SEE what type of beings we really were? And he reported back that we were not totally evil, but just weak creatures with very limited understanding of the world & our own potentials.

Maybe it could be that we ARE truly made in God's image. That we could ourselves become the masters of our own destiny. That someday WE could be GODS, that we could do what God did, like travel to another planet, heal the sick, raise the dead, walk on water, & preach morality to others.
The lessons he taught us would ensure "survival" of all human beings, since other lifestyles lead to endless WARS that end up in Mutual Destruction of the Human species. THINK WHAT WE WOULD DO IF WE ACHIEVE interplanetary travel, & find any creatures that maybe capable of intelligent life?
We would teach them: Do unto others, help each other, AVOID WAR, practice healthy care for your environment, search for the truth, never lie, cheat or steal, never lead others into sin, & be faithful to codes of honor, so all could live in harmony & peace. And the species itself will be capable of long-term survival --- "eternal life." The Bible says "you will be gods".

I close with some words written by Thomas Paine: (a founder of our nation): "I believe in God, because I know that I did not make myself, & yet I exist. And millions of other creatures (& humans) exist, & they did not make themselves, either. Therefore, there must be a Power much greater than us, who created us all. And that Power is called God." (paraphrased, accurately).

HAPPY EASTER to ALL.

04-02-2012, 10:01 AM

Schmidt
Colorado Springs, CO
Posts: 1058

For those that believe in the power of prayer, I will not criticize them. My dear mother was one that believed in prayer. She prayed every day, and it gave her strength and hope to face life's problems. She practiced her Christian beliefs in the way Jesus practiced them. She was and is for me a role model for how true Christians should conduct their lives.

Except, one day she was diagnosed with a malignant lump in her breast. The doctor's removed it, but she declined the follow-up chemotherapy, instead opting for the power of prayer. The cancer spread and she died at the age of 73.

Prayer can be a good thing, but it is not the panacea for all things.

04-05-2012, 10:39 AM

Iolo
Not Selected
Posts: 6

'Since the beginning of Time, mankind has prayed to numerous Gods, or forces of nature, or to rocks and stones. I guess mankind got mixed results from these efforts. But did that stop him?'

I don't think early people believed in gods but in magic - like dancing out a successful hunt beforehand in a holy space or whatever, to make luck. Praying came in with big bossy kings who wanted full-time praise, and people began to imagine reality as structured like their own daily experience of such pillocks, as do we under capitalism. We don't have to, however, not now.

04-06-2012, 01:48 PM

Zach F
Denton, TX
Posts: 944

Prayer and religion is the last bronze age idea and practice that civilization still holds onto. We no longer think the Earth is the center of the universe, nor is flat. We don't think the livers of sacrificed animals can predict the weather. We no longer use swords or shields, chariots, or construct high walls around our cities. We don't live in caves, stone huts or use leeches or bleeding to treat fevers. It's time to move pass these silly ancient superstitions. While religion use to be a major catalyst for culture 2000+ years ago, it has become a major obstacle in our advancement and development.

04-06-2012, 03:41 PM

sbfriedman
Denton, TX
Posts: 931

@ the initial post:

Well said... gotta love "The Lion King".

04-07-2012, 08:52 AM

Iolo
Not Selected
Posts: 6

Zach F Wrote: Prayer and religion is the last bronze age idea and practice that civilization still holds onto. We no longer think the Earth is the center of the universe, nor is flat. We don't think the livers of sacrificed animals can predict the weather. We no longer use swords or shields, chariots, or construct high walls around our cities. We don't live in caves, stone huts or use leeches or bleeding to treat fevers. It's time to move pass these silly ancient superstitions. While religion use to be a major catalyst for culture 2000+ years ago, it has become a major obstacle in our advancement and development.

As I said before, I think the 'religion' idea arrived late, arising out of attempts to explain 'magic' hunting rituals and the like (that's why all the early gods have animal heads). The idea of One God is even later, and prayer in our sense later than that (you had to talk to the gods to make deals about what you'd pay in terms of animal sacrifice for favours, but only Republicans still think like that). We still use the equivalent of shields, chariots and high walls, and it is only (certain) 'religions' that have given us the idea that we might rise above such childish monkeyism. I think most US religion is a bit primitive, so the mistake is understandable, but I think there's a way to go yet.

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