No one ever prays for a lost limb to regrow.

[LSFL]

Explain.

[Cartoonist]

1. God is not omnipotent?

He can't do it, so don't ask.

[bitterross]

2. Great question. Why not pray for that?

I mean, how is that any different than praying that someone with stage four cancer survives through a miracle and expecting it to happen?

Note on edit: "It just is different" is not a sufficient answer.

[LSFL]

3. I have asked this question

Many times in my life and have never received a satisfactory answer. The reiigious folks on this site seem intelligent so I thought I would throw it out there. I really want to hear what people think.

[Lint Head]

4. I have used that very explanation when debating right wing evangelical Christian types.

If Benny Hinn or any other faith healer could make a limb grow back it would be all over YouTube that day. There are fake magic tricks that do that but again they are fake. These charlatans use an old trick when someone comes up to say they have one leg shorter than the other. The manipulate the hip while they sit down to make it appear so. They even pass out wheelchairs to people how look elderly or slightly en-firmed so they can make it look like they get up out of that chair and walk.

[Lordquinton]

5. To be fair, I'm sure people do pray for it

but there is no sign it ever happens. If you get a response it'll have a lot of "Mysterious ways" in them.

[TalenaGor]

6. I never understood why if something was God's will then why are we begging for him to change his min

It's like he does something and then we say 'please don't do that!'

It's like he's Trump

[Corvo Bianco]

28. Hah yeah it is like a misbehaving kid who likes to

Rattle people until they beg him to let up. Neat all powerful being.

[unblock]

7. mrs. unblock used to call me "tripod".

and apparently it was quite the religious experience for her when that third leg grew and grew.
she's an atheist and a jew but there was still a whole lot of "oh gods" and "jesus f*cking christs".

these days i pray for that limb to regrow but the spirit doesn't move like it used to....

[MineralMan]

8. Ewww...

[LSFL]

19. just blew beer from my nose

It stings a bit. .....

[trotsky]

33. Well played.

[guillaumeb]

9. I never pray to be younger.

Or taller, or anything else that involves something like that.

[Mariana]

13. That's not the really the same

as when an injury or illness has caused you to lose a limb or an organ. Even if you think they are the same, how are those requests materially different than praying to be free of cancer?

[guillaumeb]

15. I pray for understanding.

Some pray for other things.

[safeinOhio]

10. Newts can grow their tails back.

They got that prayer down.

[MineralMan]

11. In some salamanders, a lost limb can regenerate.

Research is ongoing on human limb regeneration, as well. It's not inconceivable, actually, but is probably a long way off, at this point.

[ret5hd]

12. God hates amputees.

I’ve said it for years.

[Pendrench]

14. Hi LSFL - thank you for posting this (very thought provoking!)

I'm nowhere near qualified to explain how others approach the way they pray, but I can share my own personal thoughts (as a soon to be 53-year-old lifetime Catholic).

When I pray, I try to keep in mind these few words from the Lord’s Prayer: Thy will be done.

That being said, even as a believer, these words are hard to accept – because that means sometimes God’s answer to my prayers is: No.

But I also try to remember that when Jesus experienced his “agony in the garden” he prayed that he be spared his impending crucifixion – but this was also denied:

Father, if this cup cannot pass by, but I must drink it, your will be done.

So when I pray, I see it as requesting support during troubling times. In other words: I accept your will, and I also ask for the courage and strength to do so.

If there are such things as miracles, I imagine that they are extremely rare (otherwise they wouldn’t be miracles). So I try not to ask for the miraculous – but rather that my faith be strengthened during difficult times, and that I remember to give thanks during the good times.

Anyway, those are just my own personal thoughts.

I imagine that we probably disagree on the topics of religion and prayer, but I hope that we do share some common ground on other topics.

Thank you again for posting – I wish you well and peace!

Tim

[guillaumeb]

16. Very well said. eom

[Pendrench]

20. Hi guillaumeb - Thank you for your kinds words.

Hope you have a great day!

Tim

[Mariana]

17. I'm not the OP, but I want to thank you

for sharing your personal thoughts. I enjoyed reading your post.

[Pendrench]

21. Hi Mariana - Thank you very much.

I don't often post, but I do enjoy reading the comments posted here - and I also want to say that I greatly enjoy and appreciate your comments and points of view

Hope you have a great day!

Tim

[LSFL]

18. thank you

That was a good response. We are not so different. I am a 48 year old ex catholic. My faith was never bullet proof and the reprehensible way the church behaved at nearly every level in the pedophilia scandal finished me.
I understand the concept of accepting God's will. All I can say is that I love my children and grandchildren. If they lost a limb and it was in my power to heal them, I certainly would.

And as usual I am back to why are bad things allowed to occur.

Thank you for your well thought out reply.

[Pendrench]

22. Hi LSFL - You're very welcome - and thank you (again) for the original post and for your kind words.

I completely agree - there are no words that can ever (or should ever) excuse the horrors of the pedophilia scandals.

This is something that as a (still) practicing Catholic that I struggle with - as well as their official stand on homosexuality.

So why do I remain a Catholic?

That's a tough question - and one that I've thought about.

I'm sure a great deal of it is due to the fact that I was a "cradle Catholic" and attended 12 years of Catholic school...so there is what might be considered/classified as indoctrination. But during my almost 53 years, I was lucky that most of my teachers (IHM nuns during grade school, and Xaverian brothers during high school) and the priests that I've known have been very progressive so I hope that they have had a positive influence on my life and my worldview.

That is one reason why I appreciate the wide variety of view points in the particular forum. To me, blind faith is extremely dangerous - and so it's a good thing to be uncomfortable and unsure - because it forces me to examine my faith and question it.

Thank you again - I hope we have the opportunity for further discussions.

Tim

[Voltaire2]

23. Do you ever believe that your god's answer is yes?

By which I mean do you believe your god acts in the world?

[Pendrench]

24. Hi Voltaire2 - thank you for taking the time to reply to my post.

To be honest - I'm not sure.

As I mentioned, when I pray I usually do so to offer thanks when things are going well, and to ask for strength, guidance, and courage when things are tough. I can tell you that praying does seem to provide me with peace of mind during troubled times - but I also realize that this may not be the result of divine intervention.

So I don't know.

Perhaps (if there is a god) and he/she/it does act in the world, these actions are subtle - not burning bushes or walking on the water - but rather offering strength and guidance so we will work to comfort those who need assistance: to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and those in prisons, etc.

Anyway, those are just a few of my thoughts.

Thank you again for the opportunity to discuss this with you. It took me a while to respond because you really made me think about this

Wishing you well and peace!

Tim

[Major Nikon]

29. Assuming for a moment there is a benevolent interventionist god

What do you imagine it would think about so much skimming off the top?

I'm not sure how accurate it was, but I read somewhere the Mormon LDS organization only gives about 2% of it's income to help the less fortunate and I suspect the number isn't that much different for the RCC.

While all those things you mentioned are worthy causes, there's a number of secular organizations that do the same thing, yet have much lower overhead costs. It would seem as if a humanitarian almighty would prefer resources are directed to where they are doing the most good, rather than spending it on other things like bankrolling sabbaticals for priests traveling to countries with lax child molestation laws.

For all I know you do direct your charitable dollars to such organizations, but I'm just pointing this out because much of the practices of organized religion doesn't measure up well to the preaching. It almost seems like the humanitarian aspects of organized religion is more of a ruse that brings in money to fund other things.

[Pendrench]

32. Hi Major Nikon - Thank you for commenting on my post.

Again this is just my opinion, but if there is a benevolent interventionist god then I agree that he/she/it would prefer that any assistance go directly as possible to those most in need - whether that be under the auspices of an organized religion or through secular organizations.

To my mind, it's not important or necessary that someone attends weekly mass, or worships in a mosque or a temple, or even that they believe that a god (or gods) exists.

If there is a god, I hope (and believe) that the best way to "worship" him/her/it is to show love and care for others as best we can.

Thank you again for the chance to discuss this - wishing you well and peace.

Tim

[Anon-C]

26. I keep praying for an "Un-Rec" button on DU and your post proves...

...my prayers have been ignored. Can you explain to my why I am not able to not recommend your thread?

[Major Nikon]

30. Donno, but I did it for you

[Mike Nelson]

27. Hmm...

...re-growing limbs does occur in nature - even in some tiny animals... It would seem to be an easy miracle. I think it's something scientists may be able to do for humans, someday (but not while most of is are alive). Miracles aren't what they used to be... the sea didn't part so the Titanic passengers could walk to safety... Ray Charles never had his vision restored.

[Major Nikon]

31. It seems as if praying for a Mercedes Benz has a much higher chance of success

... or a Gulfstream V