Replies

I pointed out that you made the assumption that these two options were mutually exclusive.

I didn't reply to that specific comment because (1) I am under no obligation to reply to every comment and (2) because they are mutually medicine and prayer are exclusive.

Prayer may make people feel good and hopeful that God, in his mercy, will intervene in someone's illness. Sometimes, that's all that'poor "standard of care" because it is unreliable and unpredictable.

I see absolutely no contradiction in praying for healing...

What happened to "Thy will be done?" Some here think it's too much of me to ask for proof, yet it's not too much to expect God to change his mind because they feel he should?

Besides, why would Christians be afraid of dying? Why would they want to live here, in this sinful world, when they could be with God? Why not just have faith that God will do the right and accept his will without nagging him for favors?

People who truly live their faith are on a never ending quest to uncover the wonderful way God has formed the universe."

I responded to that comment in #679

"Why would religious people strive to 'uncover' anything? isn't the Bible enough? Besides, the NT states that all you have to ask and it will be revealed. You don't need to research, dig and uncover. Are all the answers to be found in the Bible? Isn't what's in the Bible exactly and as much as God wanted us to know? The Bible only commissions that believers preach the Gospel and baptize."

I will not hold you to qui tacet consentire videtur

That's very kind of you, especially since I don't have time or desire to respond to everyone's comments. I try my best to answer everyone's direct questions, however. So, don't mistake my silence with agreement.

I would ask you to consider the possibility that your line of argument is logically flawed by the most elementary of fallacies, the converse fallacy of accident, commonly known as the "some=all" fallacy.

Could you provide specific examples where I equate some with all? I try to avoid sweeping generalizations.

What I truly find astounding is that someone such as yourself, who (I infer through your comments) ... could ascribe to an evolutionary doctrine which is at best quite thin on evidence

First, there is plenty of evidence for evolutionary doctrine. Second, there is very little doubt that species evolve.

"I am under no obligation to reply to every comment"

No, you are certainly not obliged. However,your voluminous responses on this (and other threads) would lead one to believe that silence was implying either consent or confoundment. (But, of course, I knew better than to think you consented! <;^)

" because they are mutually medicine and prayer are exclusive.

Despite that rather tortured construction, I perceive that you are merely gainsaying my statement, without offering reason for your attitude.

"What happened to "Thy will be done?"

It's still there, right alongside "Ask and it shall be given to you." The two statements together form the true prayerful petition, an optimistic, humble request, with resignation to the greater vision and benevolent will of The Father.

"Sometimes, that's all that'poor "standard of care" because it is unreliable and unpredictable."

I'm not trying to be contentious, but that's another tortured construction which I'm having trouble figuring out. Surely you don't mean to imply that medical science is 100% reliable and predictable?

"Besides, why would Christians be afraid of dying?"

In general, most of the Christians I know are not afraid of death. The experience of dying, itself, may be quite unpleasant, but the aftermath is something we actually look forward to.

"Why would they want to live here, in this sinful world, when they could be with God?"

Because there are so many dear souls such as yours that Our Father in Heaven would not have us leave here for lost.

"Why would religious people strive to 'uncover' anything? isn't the Bible enough?

The Bible has many levels of meaning and many surprises, including a primer in hyperdimensional geometry and physics. The Word found in the text gives specificity and form to the whole of God's creation, and opens the adventure of exploring that creation to the man with an open mind.

"The Bible only commissions that believers preach the Gospel and baptize."

That's like saying that a PhD in Mathematics only knows how to add.

""Could you provide specific examples where I equate some with all? I try to avoid sweeping generalizations."

Every time you speak from a pejorative view of Christians who believe that God created the universe, you generalize. You have generalized about Biblical beliefs, the nature of prayer, the attitude of believers ..... in fact, generalization is the most prevalent thing found in your writing.

For the sake of making the point, however:

"If we left everything to religion, we would still be living in the 1st century chasing "demons" out of lepers."

This is a sweeping generalization that suggests that all religions base remediation of illness on faith healing, and that all people who use prayer and faith in their lives are religious zealots who eschew any other possible remedies. It also denies the reality that many if not most of today's believers utilize both prayer and medical science.

" First, there is plenty of evidence for evolutionary doctrine. Second, there is very little doubt that species evolve."

Thank you for making it clear that the object of your faith in evolution is a "doctrine." As for the doubt, well, I suspect paucity only in your kaffeklatch."