Freethought & Rationalism Archive

bocajeff · 07-08-2003, 02:13 PM

Well it looks like the 29 year old cojoined twins died.

Read the full story

What caught my attention was this particular quote. I wonder why people even bother praying when every tragic news story has this same exact quote.

Quote:

"We also want to thank so many people for their prayers -- whether they are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, or Muslim -- everyone had been praying for the twins and we are grateful because as doctors we know there's only so much we can do, and the rest we have to leave it to the Almighty."

Lot of good that did. What pisses me off is that these same people would be praising da lawd had they lived. Yet, when they don't it's God works in mysterious ways bullshit.

architect · 07-09-2003, 09:40 AM

As the expression goes, "Nothing fails like prayer."

Nowhere357 · 07-09-2003, 08:14 PM

Other than the reminder that we live in a theistic world, I don't see the problem. People offer support by offering their prayers - why should that be seen as offensive?

Rational BAC · 07-09-2003, 08:41 PM

True----

I think both theist and non-theists had empathy for those twins--who both decided that life was not worth living if joined together any longer.

Maybe prayers did not help. Maybe they did. I am sure that they are separate in eternity. And maybe that was God's judgement in this.

lpetrich · 07-09-2003, 09:43 PM

Or maybe this is evidence that the Almighty does not like to be bugged by prayers to him/her/it.

bocajeff · 07-10-2003, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rational BAC
Maybe prayers did not help. Maybe they did. I am sure that they are separate in eternity. And maybe that was God's judgement in this.

Ummm, I think it's pretty obvious prayers did jack & shit and jack just left town.

BTW how are you so sure?

Rational BAC · 07-10-2003, 06:29 PM

Well as far as I understand they were separated at the end of the operation-----although dead.

cydonia · 07-10-2003, 06:43 PM

There always seems to be an out. God knew in advance what would happen to these twins. He responds to prayer, if he gets enough prayers he'll change his mind and let them live, if he doesn't get enough prayers he won't do anything, or he may want to do something but "needs" them in Heaven with him so he can't answer the prayer, except by doing nothing, which is also an answer. Either way it's his will. And either way he knows exactly how many prayers he will get and what his decision will be. So pray harder.

I'm confusing myself.

echidna · 07-10-2003, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by architect
As the expression goes, "Nothing fails like prayer."

And nothing disappoints like hope.

echidna · 07-10-2003, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nowhere357
Other than the reminder that we live in a theistic world, I don't see the problem. People offer support by offering their prayers - why should that be seen as offensive?

Yes, prayer performs a number of roles. To some it is to misguidedly think that it will make a difference, to others it is an expression of support for those involved & for others it is simply to express the frustration at our own inability to change things. In this case I think the unanimous expressions of support turned to grief was a very heart-warming if sad sentiment worldwide.

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07-09-2003, 09:40 AM	#2
architect Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chicago Posts: 27	As the expression goes, "Nothing fails like prayer."

07-09-2003, 08:14 PM	#3
Nowhere357 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Grand Junction CO Posts: 2,231	Other than the reminder that we live in a theistic world, I don't see the problem. People offer support by offering their prayers - why should that be seen as offensive?

07-09-2003, 08:41 PM	#4
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	True---- I think both theist and non-theists had empathy for those twins--who both decided that life was not worth living if joined together any longer. Maybe prayers did not help. Maybe they did. I am sure that they are separate in eternity. And maybe that was God's judgement in this.

07-09-2003, 09:43 PM	#5
lpetrich Contributor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lebanon, OR, USA Posts: 16,829	Or maybe this is evidence that the Almighty does not like to be bugged by prayers to him/her/it.

07-10-2003, 06:29 PM	#7
Rational BAC Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tampa Bay area Posts: 3,471	Well as far as I understand they were separated at the end of the operation-----although dead.

07-10-2003, 06:43 PM	#8
cydonia Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: southern california Posts: 1,002	There always seems to be an out. God knew in advance what would happen to these twins. He responds to prayer, if he gets enough prayers he'll change his mind and let them live, if he doesn't get enough prayers he won't do anything, or he may want to do something but "needs" them in Heaven with him so he can't answer the prayer, except by doing nothing, which is also an answer. Either way it's his will. And either way he knows exactly how many prayers he will get and what his decision will be. So pray harder. I'm confusing myself.

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