Atheists praying

[Juvenal]

Thanks, Jesse. And that's something I have never understood. If it "works for me", why are so many people so upset about it? I guess it's because of the perceived (or real) attempts to 'force' this believe on others.

It's the unintended consequences.

Speaking for myself, it leads to dancing.

Others seem to think it means (or doesn't mean) they have to discriminate against gays (or accept them into the clergy), that they have to push (or oppose) creationism in science classes, that they have to vote for (or vote against, or refrain from voting for) political candidates, drink wine (or beer, except on Sundays), celebrate Christmas (but not on that date, on this one), because some God told them so in answer to prayer.

One of the things I like best about Christian belief is that I can always find a Christian community that agrees (or disagrees) with me, and even when they don't ... I've still got cookies.

[Juvenal]

As opposed to a descript one looking to take over the world?

Yup, and if you convert to Islam, they let you throw rocks at it.

[shunyadragon]

Would anybody pray to a lower power?

No conclusion here, but so far the poll, nor any of those asserting 'What atheists are praying to?' has been addressed.

In the case to Buddhists and Taoists it would be more correct that they are praying to 'nothing of power.'

[JimL]

And yet in this post, you're mocking Christians for praying and believing that God hears us. Make up your mind, Jimmy, because you're talking out of both sides of your mouth.

I have made perfectly clear that I don't agree with your belief that you are talking to god when you pray, not that it, the act of praying itself, can't be helpful to you, even if your belief that it's god you're talking to is wrong.

[shunyadragon]

Obvious a nondescript rock somewhere just north of Boise, Idaho

Possibly, but Buddhists and Taoists would avoid praying to rocks.

[shunyadragon]

As opposed to a descript one looking to take over the world?

Rocks will eventually take over the world!

[Juvenal]

1 Cor 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

John 8:47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.

Sounds like something someone with an agenda would say when they want you to believe them. You wouldn't want to be a fool would you, you don't want to die, do you? C'mon, pretend your talking to god, pretend you can hear him, and you won't die! If you don't talk to god, if you can't hear him, it's because you're evil, and you don't belong to god, therefore you will die.

MM took JimL to task for this exchange, accusing him of mocking Christian prayers and belief.

And yet in this post, you're mocking Christians for praying and believing that God hears us. Make up your mind, Jimmy, because you're talking out of both sides of your mouth.

In Sparko's defense, he's not actually calling JimL a fool, he's quoting Paul doing so instead. But that's not much of a distinction, as Sparko clearly endorses Paul's sentiment.

Except you keep confirming the truth of those verses with every idiotic post you make.

[Mountain Man]

Don't take your mind-reading act on the road. It needs a lot of work.

[Doug Shaver]

And yet 20% of British non-believers openly acknowledge that they do upon occasion pray -- especially when faced with a crisis or emergency.

"Some do" contradicts "None don't."

[shunyadragon]

Would anybody pray to a lower power?

Likely pray to nothing of power. As per results it does not make much difference between atheists and theists concerning the outcome.

Many non-believers pray and meditate for inner guidance.

Well ah . . . many Buddhist pray to the Buddhas for enlightenment so that they may be enlightened.

The bottom line is you know who you pray to or for, but you either do not know, do not care, or do not believe in what other pray to,

[Cow Poke]

Likely pray to nothing of power.

What is the expected outcome of praying to something or someone with no power to answer the prayer or grant the petition?

As per results it does not make much difference between atheists and theists concerning the outcome.

I would disagree. If my prayers were to "get stuff", admittedly they don't always work. My prayers, however, are more about aligning my will with God's. The outcome there, INMHBAO, works quite well at times.

Many non-believers pray and meditate for inner guidance.

From whom?

Well ah . . . many Buddhist pray to the Buddhas for enlightenment so that they may be enlightened.

Would Buddha not be considered a 'higher power'?

The bottom line is you know who you pray to or for, but you either do not know, do not care, or do not believe in what other pray to,

You might ask for some inner guidance and try that line again.

[shunyadragon]

What is the expected outcome of praying to something or someone with no power to answer the prayer or grant the petition?

Atheist prayers do not involve the grant of petition, how antiquated.

I would disagree. If my prayers were to "get stuff", admittedly they don't always work. My prayers, however, are more about aligning my will with God's. The outcome there, INMHBAO, works quite well at times.

Outcome of prayers to 'grant petition' is too anecdotal to be real. Of course, atheist prayers are not seeking ;grants of petition.' Self-reflective prayers for the inner search of meaning and answers without God among atheists have some parallels with some theist prayers,

From whom?

Nobody.

Would Buddha not be considered a 'higher power'?

No Buddha in the view of Buddhist was another human like everyone who has tained enlightenment.

You might ask for some inner guidance and try that line again.

No problem, one might ask for inner guidance through self-reflection, Again, again and yes again . . .

[Tassman]

What is the expected outcome of praying to something or someone with no power to answer the prayer or grant the petition?

Prayers are about petitioning a deity. What atheists do is not pray but practice meditation or self-reflection, which is similar but not the same thing.

I would disagree. If my prayers were to "get stuff", admittedly they don't always work. My prayers, however, are more about aligning my will with God's. The outcome there, INMHBAO, works quite well at times.

From whom?

Would Buddha not be considered a 'higher power'?

Buddhism, properly understood, is a philosophy of life not a religion. The object is to gain enlightenment in emulation of the Buddha.

[Teallaura]

Atheists who pray are like Christians who won't aid the poor - their actions do not match their beliefs.

[Cow Poke]

Prayers are about petitioning a deity. What atheists do is not pray but practice meditation or self-reflection, which is similar but not the same thing.

I wasn't even looking for this.

Meditation DOESN'T make you a calmer person: Buddhist practice leaves people just as aggressive and prejudiced, reveals study

If every eight-year-old in the world is taught meditation, the world will be without violence within one generation,' the Dalai Lama claims.

But it appears the respected monk could be wrong.

For scientists have revealed the trendy Buddhist practice does not make you more compassionate, less aggressive or prejudiced.

Meditation, incorporating a range of spiritual and religious beliefs, has been touted for decades as being able to make the world a better place.

However, researchers from the UK, New Zealand and The Netherlands, have found meditation doesn't change how adults behave towards others.