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Let Us Pray.
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If you believe in God, do you not think s/he is a bit of a bighead expecting everyone to pray to him, some five times per day, when the omnipotent One knows what you are thinking at all times anyway?
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The God of Abraham doesn’t just ‘expect’ everyone to pray to him – he ‘demands’ total subservience - allegedly. His very ‘existence’ depends solely upon the most brutal form of coercion – as does his popularity. For those who tremble under intimidation, the threat of eternal damnation/torture/death convinces them that only the voluntarily abandonment of their intellect to superstition will ensure a future where they will either live in heaven with God; inherit the earth with all the other ‘good’ people; sit on a cloud playing a harp; exist in the afterlife surrounded by hot and cold running virgins - or whatever else they consider an attractive proposition for their entertainment in eternity. At the same time they accept - without the slightest hint of protest at the disgusting inhumanity of it all - the horrific future their vile God has planned for dissenters – but that’s alright. They believe, so they’re safe. Phew!
In short, they succumb to bullying.
However, if they care to read the book – unencumbered by religious pre-conditioning - they will discover that their God’s reputation rests upon fraudulent claims. Big-headed – yes – but neither omniscient, nor omnipotent. This God is a fake.
In short, they succumb to bullying.
However, if they care to read the book – unencumbered by religious pre-conditioning - they will discover that their God’s reputation rests upon fraudulent claims. Big-headed – yes – but neither omniscient, nor omnipotent. This God is a fake.
Interesting point Ratter15. I went to an "Open Door" event at our local mosque.
One of the "speakers" was a heart surgeon at our local teaching hospital. He explained that there was no way he would break off from performing complex surgery to pray. However, when he had finished he would take time to make up his prayer time.
One of the "speakers" was a heart surgeon at our local teaching hospital. He explained that there was no way he would break off from performing complex surgery to pray. However, when he had finished he would take time to make up his prayer time.
The trade-off, we are told, for "sucking up" to God for a lifetime is an eternity of paradise. By contrast, being on the side of the Devil and living a life of freedom to do as we will on Earth could, according to some views, earn an eternity of pain. Under those circumstances, is the Devil really more sensible?
I just think the original question was badly phrased, since it's clear the OP already "knows" the answer and has put it in the question. You can see prayer as God being a bighead, or as God being a normal loving parent, albeit one who doesn't take too kindly (understatement) to being ignored.
I just think the original question was badly phrased, since it's clear the OP already "knows" the answer and has put it in the question. You can see prayer as God being a bighead, or as God being a normal loving parent, albeit one who doesn't take too kindly (understatement) to being ignored.
@JIm - I take your point, but, speaking hypothetically, and assuming for a moment that there are such constructs of heaven and hell, offering an eternity of living in sweetness and light or darkness/flames and pain - Would any loving parent really expect or need or even want their child to earnestly pray to them, multiple times a day? Would parents really be that needy? Or in this hypothetical instance, God?
Does seem a bit like a clingy girl or boyfriend, constantly seeking reassurance, or a despot basking in the grateful thanks of their subjugated masses, to me :)
Does seem a bit like a clingy girl or boyfriend, constantly seeking reassurance, or a despot basking in the grateful thanks of their subjugated masses, to me :)
No, not really, and when I read the Old Testament in particular I find the God being described frankly awful. Animals sacrificed for virtually everything, for one thing, and it does seem dangerously close to a "master and his slaves" relationship than to the one I was describing. I'm not quite sure if I'm missing something glaringly obvious in this that Christian friends and relatives of mine are not, or vice versa.
The main point, really, was that I felt the initial question was far too leading, clearly tending to "why are you so silly to pray?" rather than "why do you pray?"
The main point, really, was that I felt the initial question was far too leading, clearly tending to "why are you so silly to pray?" rather than "why do you pray?"
