Two Serious Questions...

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   hschicaposted 12 years ago

   I'd like to get a Christian point of view on these two questions I have been wondering about.
   
   1. If God is capable of miracles, including healing diseases such as cancer, why can't he replace limbs lost by accidents or amputation?
   
   2. How often does God answer your prayers? I've heard people say it's close to 50% of the time. Isn't that just random chance?

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   1. 59

      A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      1. We still have cancer and other diseases.
      2. We still have cancer and other diseases.
      
      Yes, I know I responded to both questions with the same answer, but it still works for both.

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   Sherlock221bposted 12 years ago

   When Emile Zola was walking through Lourdes and looking at the crutches hanging up, he noted 'what no wooden legs?'

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3. 57

   MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

   I can give you my answers, I don't speak for all Christians though.. or even a majority
   
   1. The belief in God can lead to miraculous healing.  That healing is most likely from within the person themselves rather than the hand of God.  Self-healing and faith have limitations, so therefore limbs don't grow back, but immune systems can be strengthened enough to fight cancer, and the joy in God can be enough to withstand enough pain to exercise atrophied limbs to regrow muscles.
   
   2. Once again, the prayers are answered (Generally) because of the strength that belief in God gives.  If you pray to win the lottery, it probably isnt going to happen.  If you pray for strength to face your fears/do well on a test/run a marathon then it just might. 
   
   Now, I'm not saying true miracles never happen that can't be traced back to strength of faith=strength of self but some of those miracles are also personal interpretation.  I personally choose to believe my children are miracles rather than sacks of dividing cells

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   1. 59

      hschicaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      But isn't God supposed to be capable of anything? Are you saying regrowing limbs is out of God's reach? I have always been told that nothing is impossible for God.
      
      Same goes for winning the lottery. Isn't God capable of anything and everything? Also, I am sure that if you pray really hard and don't study, you will still do terribly on that test. If you pray hard to God and don't train, you won't be able to run that marathon.

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      A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      What's the difference?

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         MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         One is trying to take the easy road, and one is relying on your faith to give you strength enough to overcome your obstacles on your own.

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            A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I really don't see any difference. Both prayers are taking the easy road.

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               MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               If that's your opinion, you are welcome to it .

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                  A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  It's simple logic, not an opinion.

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                     MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     LMAO, oh you're one of THOSE.  If I just go ahead right now and let you know that I don't care if my faith is logical, or rational, or equivalent to the flying spaghetti monster will that head off the argument?  Because I really don't.  My faith is mine and it gets me through the day.
                     
                     Why is it so important to you that I DONT believe in God that you must try to convert me?

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                        A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        Some need crutches to get them through life. I enjoy life and therefore don't need crutches.
                        
                        
                        
                        Where was I trying to convert you?

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                           MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           Wow.  I'm glad you enjoy your life and I'm glad you don't need a crutch.  I enjoy my life and don't have any crutches either.  If you think my religion is a crutch then you are being extremely stereotypical.  If you are comfortable with that, then have at it.
                           
                           If you weren't trying to convince me that I was illogical to convert me than what exactly was your purpose?  I'm sure it wasn't just to be insulting.  You seem like too nice of a guy for that.

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                           1. 59

                              A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                              It was an observation, you said your faith gets your through the day, that sounds very much like a crutch.
                              
                              Pointing out logic or the lack of any does not mean someone is trying to convert. I have not seen too many here convert no matter how much logic you put in front of them.

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                                 MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                 Well why would they?  On either side?  The subject of faith is extremely personal and the reasons that each of us believes in what we believe in are as unique as that person.
                                 
                                 Why would someone completely disregard everything that they believe in based on an internet conversation?  And why would anyone want to change a person's faith when they have no idea what it would mean to lose that faith? (For both sides)
                                 
                                 If religion is a crutch to some, then what is that to be ashamed of?  It just means that something is helping them along.  There is no shame in getting help. Same for non-belief.  If there is some comfort there, why would I want to convince someone to give up that comfort?

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                                    A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                    That just shows religions are all about what people want and not what God wants.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    It shouldn't matter if it's an internet conversation or one that is face to face, if a person refuses to see logic and reason because of their faith, no conversation in the world is going to change that.
                                    
                                    
                                    
                                    We could say the same thing about alcohol and drugs, they are also crutches that help people get through the day, providing comfort. They're all about masking reality.

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                                       MelissaBarrettposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                       I disagree with pretty much everything you just said.  But it's too nice of a day to argue when nothing is going to be accomplished by it.

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                                          A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                                          Yet, everything you said logically followed to those conclusions, but now you disagree.
                                          
                                          Religion sure is all about having ones cake and eating it too.

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   MelissaBarrettposted 12 years ago

   *shrugs* I haven't met him yet so I can't say what he is or isn't capable of.  I'm not really into the whole "Can God make a boulder he cannot lift?" kind of discussions.
   
   If forced into a corner I would say yes, he is capable of regrowing limbs.  Why doesn't he?  Don't know.  He doesn't answer to me.
   
   Yes, I'm sure he could help someone win the lottery.  I have no idea why he would grant such a prayer but I'm sure he could.  But I think he would require them to buy a ticket first.
   
   And like I said,it's about inner strength and faith... not "God take this geometry test for me" I'm not the type of Christian that uses God/Jesus like a magic lamp.

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5. 55

   tatyana walkerposted 12 years ago

   i know hello melissa barrett

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   Sherlock221bposted 12 years ago

   The human mind is the only one, which recognises its own mortality.  It is for this reason that humans are the only creatures to have religion, as an illogical way to deny death. However there is nothing innately wrong in religion.  If it comforts people, then it is a positive addition to society.  It is when believers are so certain that their religion is the "Truth" and are determined to force others to see things the same way they do, that things start to go wrong.  The fundamentalist believes it their god-given duty to force non-believers to convert.  If only the religious could hold to their own beliefs and recognise the rights of others not to believe, then there would be no religious arguments in the world, and no threats of terrorism or war. 
   
   The kind of religion, which lights candles at Lourdes, seems benign enough.  Even though it is irrational to believe drinking polluted water will cure the sick of cancer or grow back a missing leg, if it makes the ill and dying feel better mentally, then this can only be a good thing for them before they disappear into oblivion.

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   brotheryochananposted 12 years ago

   obviously God can do all these things and more. But why doesn't he? The answer to that is obvious also, but mostly to God.
   The OT was full of miracles and yes jesus restored a withered hand and peter caused the man at the beautiful gate to 'rise up and walk'.
   The thing is miracles never create better Christians, often, miracles create worse Christians, by redirecting the center of attention, which should be jesus. Everybody wants to see a crippled person come out of their wheelchair. Are these people seeking signs? Will their faith then become hinged on that sign?
   'Oh yes i am christian, one day this man got up and walked, lame from birth'... If this was the pattern God worked by, then faith would be minimalized. Faith is important even in the next life for some reason or another.
   To a person who says 'rise up and walk' and has success in that area they tend to become proud, which of course is not a purpose of God.
   So as wonderful as all this area of miracles is, it is best that God stick to healing; as they are much slower and less obvious. Its hard to slowly heal an amputated leg, such works are best left to miracles and christians need a faith that grows.

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      lone77starposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Brother, an amazing and beautiful answer. Bravo, but I intend no temptation to ego in saying that. Glory be to God and His truth.
      
      Miracles are a big distraction. Absolutely! The several with which I was involved certainly had ego chomping at the bit. And following ego is following the master of this world. Humility is the antidote to ego. And humility and miracles do not always go hand-in-hand.

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8. 72

   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   1) You assume that He can't. That's an awfully big assumption. Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that you've never seen it done?
   
   My father read a story to me when I was about 9 (1959) about an Indian monk who looked like a murderer police were searching for. When one policeman spotted him and ordered him to stop, the monk continued without paying him any attention. The policeman then used his machete to stop what he thought was a "dangerous" criminal, hacking the monk's arm half off. The monk then turned to the policeman and said, "I'm not the man you seek." He used his other hand to lift the half severed arm back into place, and continued on his journey, fully healed. Cut blood vessels, severed ligaments, snipped muscle tissue all healed by a touch. All of those tissues rejoining perfectly. Pretty amazing.
   
   I wasn't there, but I don't doubt the veracity of the story. I simply don't know. However, I have seen some pretty amazing miracles, one of them similar to Moses parting the sea.
   
   2) God answers all of my prayers -- 100%, instantaneously and in the affirmative. Always! The problem with most people's so-called prayers is that they may say one thing, but ask for something entirely different. Asking (praying) is not the same thing as mouthing words or thinking thoughts.
   
   Stop thinking like a meat body. You are not that Homo sapiens flesh.
   
   Random chance is a product of physical continuity (the laws of physical reality). Spiritual awakening, praying, creating and even forgiving are all acts of discontinuity -- acts of rising above physical continuity.
   
   You can't get from here to there. It takes a "leap" of faith. Faith is not belief, and there is no such thing as "blind faith." Faith is transcendent. Faith is an act of creation with perfect confidence and utter humility.

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