Do you believe in the POWER OF PRAYER?

[Ilya R. 0]

NO

[IAMX 3,055]

I just have a question though about karma, is anyone telling the good to come back on those who did good(same about the bad) or is it thought to be some natural phenomenon? I mean either it's a different kind of spiritual belief that something or someone is directing your karma to give back or it's natural..but it seems it wouldn't just be natural if it existed, it'd also be spiritual. So prayer is one kind of spiritual belief, and karma is another. It can't be just a natural thing IMO. Of course I don't believe in Karma but I do believe that people reap what they sow. But I also believe there is forgiveness so if someone was bad they can be forgiven if they change their ways and won't only reap bad things. I just ask because sometimes people who aren't sure if they believe in God or believe in some sort of higher power but aren't sure what they are, talk about karma as if it's a more believable explanation for things that happen. To me you have to have faith to believe in karma the same way people have faith to believe in prayer. One isn't more believable than the other in the natural sense.

Karma is very similar to reaping what you sew.

And there is a very good, non-idealistic explanation. It's all about attitude. If you're good to people, you simply increase the chances that others are nice to you because more people will enjoy being around you. Does it guarantee only good things happen to you? Sure as hell not. And it's simple to test. Smile at people, shake people's hands, talk to them. If you ever go back to these places, people remember you, and are willing to do nice things. It happens to me all the time. Consequently, I've also seen what it's like to be an ### to people. Not surprisingly, you find yourself more in conflict.

[chri'stina 190]

Thanks for the reply SRVT...I do already know what Karma is supposed to be. My question is more about why people treat it like it's not a spiritual thing like prayer. My question is, does the universe keep track of the good and bad, how would the universe, it it's physical form, keep track of ppl's behavior. Or do people think it's spiritual, dealt with in a spiritual way...because how else would it actually work? It can't just exist like the sun rising every day. And with karma comes rebirth usually, so unfortunately I don't think most people are reaching enlightenment before they die so they'll have to come and try this all over again until they do. I think some in the western world just use the word karma for something that it really isn't.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Yes, Spirit is amazing!

[Peikko 1,575]

People who believe that prayer achieves results will do so, regardless of any emprical statistics.

It's like those people who see 'jesus' in cookies or cats. The human brain doesn't like randomnness so where there is a series of random dots/splodges the brain will try to achieve some kind of pattern or coherence. The fact that faces are one of the most recognisable of forms for the human brain leads it to create a face more often than not when presented with random patterns.

As we do not know that jesus might have looked like and the bearded figure representation is a legacy from the baroque period. The representations were stylised and based on European models, not those from the Middle East so the chances that jesus looked anything like these representations is slim.

[chri'stina 190]

People who believe that prayer achieves results will do so, regardless of any emprical statistics.

It's like those people who see 'jesus' in cookies or cats. The human brain doesn't like randomnness so where there is a series of random dots/splodges the brain will try to achieve some kind of pattern or coherence. The fact that faces are one of the most recognisable of forms for the human brain leads it to create a face more often than not when presented with random patterns.

As we do not know that jesus might have looked like and the bearded figure representation is a legacy from the baroque period. The representations were stylised and based on European models, not those from the Middle East so the chances that jesus looked anything like these representations is slim.

Well I definitely agree with you there. We do know he would have looked like the people in that region looked. I agree with you also about the face on cookies, etc. Just because it looks like a face does not mean it's spiritual at all.

[Peikko 1,575]

I don't intend to belittle anyone who believes in the power of prayer. Whether there is an influence from god or not is irrelevant to those who derive comfort and positivity from it. Where there should be caution is when the belief in prayer has a negative effect and goes against all common sense.

[Scott & Lai 12]

I just have a question though about karma, is anyone telling the good to come back on those who did good(same about the bad) or is it thought to be some natural phenomenon? I mean either it's a different kind of spiritual belief that something or someone is directing your karma to give back or it's natural..but it seems it wouldn't just be natural if it existed, it'd also be spiritual. So prayer is one kind of spiritual belief, and karma is another. It can't be just a natural thing IMO. Of course I don't believe in Karma but I do believe that people reap what they sow. But I also believe there is forgiveness so if someone was bad they can be forgiven if they change their ways and won't only reap bad things. I just ask because sometimes people who aren't sure if they believe in God or believe in some sort of higher power but aren't sure what they are, talk about karma as if it's a more believable explanation for things that happen. To me you have to have faith to believe in karma the same way people have faith to believe in prayer. One isn't more believable than the other in the natural sense.

Thanks for the reply SRVT...I do already know what Karma is supposed to be. My question is more about why people treat it like it's not a spiritual thing like prayer. My question is, does the universe keep track of the good and bad, how would the universe, it it's physical form, keep track of ppl's behavior. Or do people think it's spiritual, dealt with in a spiritual way...because how else would it actually work? It can't just exist like the sun rising every day. And with karma comes rebirth usually, so unfortunately I don't think most people are reaching enlightenment before they die so they'll have to come and try this all over again until they do. I think some in the western world just use the word karma for something that it really isn't.

Thank's, Stina, I had exactly the same question but I think you stated it better than I could

[DeVile 0]

I think prayer can be effective as a way to summon inner strength, like a form of meditation. However, I do not believe in prayer as a way of asking for divine intervention.

I agree with this.

It is the basis for witchcraft, as it is known today. Spells are nothing more than self-affirmations.

My basic belief is: The more someone talks about their religion, the less religious they actually are.

[IAMX 3,055]

Thanks for the reply SRVT...I do already know what Karma is supposed to be. My question is more about why people treat it like it's not a spiritual thing like prayer. My question is, does the universe keep track of the good and bad, how would the universe, it it's physical form, keep track of ppl's behavior. Or do people think it's spiritual, dealt with in a spiritual way...because how else would it actually work? It can't just exist like the sun rising every day. And with karma comes rebirth usually, so unfortunately I don't think most people are reaching enlightenment before they die so they'll have to come and try this all over again until they do. I think some in the western world just use the word karma for something that it really isn't.

Well, if you want the honest truth, karma is superstition. As spiritual as I might want to play things, spirituality, for the most part, is just some abstract feeling people made up to give things more meaning than they really have. Which is good for things like relationships, every day life, or even living at all. There's no scientific or non-abstract basis for karma beyond what I suggested in the previous post. However, being a sucker for love, and especially a hockey fan, I find some fun in superstition. The only thing I'm not superstitious about is religion -- I'm pretty tough on that.

Edited August 5, 2008 by SRVT

[Sassy1natl 0]

I believe in the power of prayer... and I am very grateful for everyone and everything that has been brought into my life.

[higantetingting 0]

amen. praise the lord!

good job kathy hehehhe....

[ED*Riza 0]

I believe in the Power of prayer. I am amazed everyday of things happen in my life.

[CaNdiD wiTcH 0]

I grew up in a Catholic family. My parents brought me up believing that GOD is the highest and nothing is impossible with him. I have my own share of ups and downs. There were many trials but I survived because of HIM. Prayer is a powerful thing. People could talk to HIM through prayers. Now, we already handed everything to HIM.

[boo boo 1]

I pray everyday and I give thanks everyday