I just wanted to address one point that many brought up. There were several comments that because this activity made you feel bad, that might be god or your conscience telling you that your actions were "wrong".

I have to say I personally find it at least as likely that it is childhood teaching and societal pressure making you feel bad. Many people "feel bad" about doing things just because they were taught to do so...

Peace.

at Kat and Redy.

Happy Saturday.

Enjoy your toys.

I understand your point but I question the value of any study on something so intangible and higly variable as prayer. I don't know if this is something that it is possible to do a meaningful study of... it's so subjective.

I think that the power of prayer is more along the lines of visualization and self-healing. Of course many studies have shown that placebos can have very positive effects so it seems like praying would have a positive effect regardless of whether or not there is an actual god. Also, it seems to me that prayer would have a positive effect if the family and friends were involved because that kind of support is normally helpful. To me "praying" just means focusing, it's like meditation... for me "praying" frequently means focusing my mind on all the good and beautiful things in the world. Which emhances my will to live- again I would think that would be helpful in fighting off some illnesses but "proving" it would be different.

The nature of god is obviously so very different to so many people so how could the "prayers" ever be measurable or comparable one to another?

Thank you for the clarification of your beliefs. And the extravagent compliment.

Peace and joy.

I thought the story was sort of funny...

I'm a bit surprised that the Christians like it though- it's actually quite critical of christians IMO. Christians have literally killed and metaphorically "eaten" cultures whose individuals didn't agree with or convert to their beliefs.

ACtually, if I think about it too much I don't like the story because I really dislike when one religion is so intolerent of others beliefs.

Then again maybe I should just lighten up and laugh at the praying bear?

Big Jim-

With no intent to offend you in any way, I'm puzzled by the appeal of the "cold unloving embrace" you mention in conjunction with your god.

Can you elaborate on what that means or is it just a figure of speech?

Agnostic/buddhist/taoist...

Trying to be open to what might be and to what actually is...

Admirer of all those who practice being kind to one another and gentle with our planet regardless of their inspiration for doing so.

Harry Potter is a childrens story. It's a very fascinating fantasy story but I don't understand the selectivity...

Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Aladdin, Cinderella etc. etc. Disney has been publicizing witchcraft and magic for decades and the original stories that those films were based on have been incredibly popular for much much longer.

Sure lots of little girls want a pumpkin that turns into a coach or a frog that turns into a prince but is that a "promotion of witchcraft"?

And even if it was advocating witchcraft it's not denigrating another religion... there is no mockery or questioning of chrisianity or any other religion in those books that I have seen.

Hilarious analogy. And a nice spirit of tolerence.

Nevertheless, I can't help but notice how often undercloths enter into discussions about christianity...

Puritanism resulting in an obsession with the forbidden?

Fascinating.

I do ask for strength to help me through difficult situations. But in a lot of ways prayer is just a tool for me to focus, clarify and prioritize... and by prioritize I mean gain perspective on whatever challenge is occurring. Maybe it can have some positive aspects or at least ambiguious ones?

"Prayer" is another form of meditation for me. I don't truly expect assistance from an external source, although sometiems that might be nice! Praying is primarily a way for me to remain calm and access my own inner strength and resources.

And I talk over how to best deal with the situation and what actions (if any) to take with my friends and family.

Abra.

With that in mind, I just want to take a second to tell you that I find you all incredibly intelligent, amusing, and fascinating.



"Aspestos underwear" huh? Seems we will be heating somewhat unevenly, no? Wow. Interesting...

Yes, I have to go see my sweetheart for a little while now...

Thanks!

(((((Wench)))))

Ah yes, nature is so very thrifty... the rotten fruit still feeds insects and the remains enter the soil and nourish plants, and the seeds can produce a new tree...

"Rotten humans"- I agree it is unclear what will become of them when so neglected.

However, for myself, the more I see the more I am convinced that humans have the ability to overcome nearly anything. Death of loved ones, drugs, drinking, despair, childhood traumas, there are many who have overcome these; just as there are others who have succumbed and allowed the rot to make them cruel or hopeless.

Creative, is this not free will? Perhaps you cannot choose what happens to you but you can choose how you respond to the events that occur.

Peace.

I can't see this fruit/tree metaphor... how many people are all good or all bad? Isn't pretty much everyone a mix of good and bad?

Genotype vs. phenotype or nature vs. nurture has been a question for a long time. Again, I think both factor into who you are- you have certain tendencies and they can be encouraged or supressed.

One thing about the fruit/tree metaphor did seem true to me though... if you neglect fruit on the ground and step on it or kick it or even if you just ignore it for long enough... then it will definitely go bad and rot.

Peace.

You can stay here with me Abra.

I'm pretty slow to anger...

although once I do get angry... it's not pretty!

One thing I always thought was interesting... although it is somewhat argued against in some of the linguistic points you bring up...

But...

Does it say in the old testament that god created heaven and the earth as if they were brand new?

The biblical god creates something from nothing, if "he" so chose "he" could create an "old" earth.

Why would God do such a thing? I couldn't say, I never understand why people "distress" furniture to make it look old either... mine gets "distressed" all by itself over time...

Peace.

"un golden ruly" indeed!

Buen nuevo ano TLW!

Health and peace to you and your family.

Hmmm... the first part of the last post was a quote... seems I *still* don't have the hang of posting a quote within a quote?!?!