God answers when we call

@fmf said
When what you pray for happens, you can attribute it to your God figure.

When what you pray for does not happen, you can attribute it to your God figure listening but deciding against "answering the call".

Either way, you can present both of these outcomes as cast iron evidence that your God figure "answers when you call" and ~ by extension ~ that he exists.

"Cast iron evidence"?

I know you disagree, but come on. Even you must count this as hyperbole.

All "evidence" in religious matters, must needs be subjective. What is evidence for one, since he knows his past best, is ridiculous kerfuffle for others. God answers us in ways we can certainly understand. He doesn't broadcast it on TV or the radio. No one else needs to "get it".

@suzianne said
"Cast iron evidence"?I know you disagree, but come on. Even you must count this as hyperbole.

Of course. Could you not discern it without referring it to me so I could confirm it?

@fmf said
I absolutely think it is "generated [from] within". There is not one shred of credible evidence that anything supernatural happens when anyone - from any religion - prays. This is not to say that the activity of praying does not have psychological benefits.

Again, this is ridiculous for reasons I've mentioned above.

Of course the answer to my prayer is not credible or evidential to you. It's not meant to be.

@suzianne said
God answers us in ways we can certainly understand.

I have no credible reason to think he does.

@fmf said
Of course. Could you not discern it without referring it to me so I could confirm it?

So, to you, hyperbole is perfectly okay for responding in the Spirituality Forum, since it means nothing anyways?

And btw, as you have said ad infinitum, this is a debate and discussion forum. People interact. Suddenly you're not okay with that?

@fmf said
I have no credible reason to think he does.

Good for you. Isn't that my point?

It still boils down to free will.

Why should the answer I get affect your decision to believe or not?

@suzianne said
So, to you, hyperbole is perfectly okay for responding in the Spirituality Forum, since it means nothing anyways?

Yes. And hyperbole does not "mean nothing".

@fmf said
Yes. And hyperbole does not "mean nothing".

But to you, it obviously means a perfectly acceptable way to talk to other posters? Even if they don't get that it's hyperbole?

If you meant it as "more than nothing" would you still be using hyperbole?

I suppose maybe if your entire point is to drive the conversation to an imagined extreme.

@suzianne said
As you have said ad infinitum, this is a debate and discussion forum. People interact. Suddenly you're not okay with that?

What on Earth are you on about now? Who is "suddenly... not okay" with people interacting?

@suzianne said
But to you, it obviously means a perfectly acceptable way to talk to other posters? Even if they don't get that it's hyperbole?

Yes, the use of things like hyperbole and irony is a perfectly acceptable way to talk to other posters.

@suzianne said
It still boils down to free will.

I think it boils down to people making extraordinary claims about supernatural things. I don't see how this topic boils down to free will. I think the claim that prayer gives people solace and that nothing supernatural happens is not an extraordinary claim to make.

@suzianne said
If you meant it as "more than nothing" would you still be using hyperbole?

Sure, Why not?

@fmf said
Yes, the use of things like hyperbole and irony is a perfectly acceptable way to talk to other posters.

I see.

I don't understand, but I see how you think.

It answers much about your behavior here.

Good day.

@suzianne said
I see.

I don't understand, but I see how you think.

It answers much about your behavior here.

Good day.

There is no problem with my behaviour here, Suzianne. I am clearly a more reasonable, thoughtful and level-headed contributor than you.

@FMF

I absolutely think it is "generated [from] within". There is not one shred of credible evidence that anything supernatural happens when anyone - from any religion - prays. This is not to say that the activity of praying does not have psychological benefits.

Some people definitely feel that way.

However, we still encourage the practicality of drawing near to the real God who really lives and really is responsive.

But not everyone has faith.
And not everyone will even give it a try to open their hearts to draw close to
God (under various and sundry excuses which they think sound valid).