-- Posted by sarasilkypants at 12:14 am on Aug. 20, 2008 I am a spiritual person but I am not religious. I believe in an afterlife but am not too sure about a God anymore. My thing is this: When you pray and your prayers aren't answered no matter how much you beg...the excuse is "god knows more than us he doesn't always answer our prayers as we want him to". Then the old saying of "God helps those who help themselves" is another thing that is just funny to me. So you can work and work and work and when you get what you've worked for, the reason was all God?? When YOU worked for it? Yet when he doesn't answer your prayers it isn't his fault? It almost seems to me people try to convince themselves there is a God to make them feel better about the fact you will inevitably die. I've tried to believe God is there and he is helping us and all that stuff. But at the end of the day I don't know if I am just convincing myself that so I feel better, or iff I actually believe it. Its all just odd to me -- Posted by Alabamarama at 12:17 am on Aug. 20, 2008 That would be Christianity, not religion. -- Posted by sarasilkypants at 12:19 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from Alabamarama at 12:17 am on Aug. 20, 2008 That would be Christianity, not religion. Well excuse me for not being specific enough -- Posted by blufindr at 12:20 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from Alabamarama at 5:17 pm on Aug. 20, 2008 That would be Christianity, not religion. This. I came to your conclusion in grade school. Welcome to the world. -- Posted by Alabamarama at 12:23 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from sarasilkypants at 2:19 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from Alabamarama at 12:17 am on Aug. 20, 2008 That would be Christianity, not religion.     Well excuse me for not being specific enough You are excused. I'm not entirely sure what you wanted us to post, but I wanted my point. -- Posted by crazyrugger at 12:28 am on Aug. 20, 2008 good point and i went though that same struggle myself and i am still struggling with it i heard someone say once "god does answer your prayers but sometimes the answer is no." and that helped me understand things alittle better -- Posted by SaintKris at 1:10 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from crazyrugger at 12:28 am on Aug. 20, 2008 good point and i went though that same struggle myself and i am still struggling with it i heard someone say once "god does answer your prayers but sometimes the answer is no." and that helped me understand things alittle better Well ya.. if i prayed... "let my neighbor be murdered" what kind of god would he be to say...yes.sure whatever you want son. -- Posted by nik1 at 3:12 am on Aug. 20, 2008 It took me quite a few years to come to grips with questioning organized religion.  I am finally at peace with it.  I don't think anyone can tell you what is right for yourself.  There are a lot more wrongs with organized religion than rights in my opinion.  Too much hocus pocus, voodoo, fantasy and brainwashing to suit me. -- Posted by exceedinglyrare at 4:55 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from sarasilkypants at 3:14 am on Aug. 20, 2008 I am a spiritual person but I am not religious. I believe in an afterlife but am not too sure about a God anymore. My thing is this: When you pray and your prayers aren't answered no matter how much you beg...the excuse is "god knows more than us he doesn't always answer our prayers as we want him to".   Then the old saying of "God helps those who help themselves" is another thing that is just funny to me. So you can work and work and work and when you get what you've worked for, the reason was all God?? When YOU worked for it? Yet when he doesn't answer your prayers it isn't his fault? It almost seems to me people try to convince themselves there is a God to make them feel better about the fact you will inevitably die. I've tried to believe God is there and he is helping us and all that stuff. But at the end of the day I don't know if I am just convincing myself that so I feel better, or iff I actually believe it. Its all just odd to me Why do people always think that answering prayer means that you get exactly what you want? Prayer isn't a happy funtimes Christmas wishlist. -- Posted by DonnieDarkko at 7:46 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from Alabamarama at 8:17 am on Aug. 20, 2008 That would be Christianity, not religion. I don't see how this couldn't apply to any monotheistic religion, but since the OP is from the US, it's clear enough, I won't be pedantic. -- Posted by Alabamarama at 8:20 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from DonnieDarkko at 9:46 am on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from Alabamarama at 8:17 am on Aug. 20, 2008 That would be Christianity, not religion. I don't see how this couldn't apply to any monotheistic religion, but since the OP is from the US, it's clear enough, I won't be pedantic. You're right, I'm sure it could, but they're more associated with Christianity in my experience. -- Posted by King Kong at 8:42 am on Aug. 20, 2008 praysng should not be used as a means of wishing for somthing -- Posted by sophos at 9:22 pm on Aug. 20, 2008 Quote: from sarasilkypants at 12:14 am on Aug. 20, 2008 When you pray and your prayers aren't answered no matter how much you beg...the excuse is "god knows more than us he doesn't always answer our prayers as we want him to". Matthew 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. It almost seems to me people try to convince themselves there is a God to make them feel better about the fact you will inevitably die. You seem to be getting the general idea. Now, question further. -- Posted by Clouse227 at 9:44 pm on Aug. 20, 2008 When you pray, and wish to still be realistic, then you can only pray that God grant you strength. That is all. You can only pray that the concept of a benevolent God who wishes to to right by you will aid you to find strength within yourself. Sure, you could find strength within yourself, without God, but God usually makes the process easier.