There is definitely no loving God. Fact.

Since the thread has been reopened, here's my pennyworth. If evil things occurring is proof that there are no unicorns, then good things occurring must be proof that there is. In other words, god does not exist, in the same way that unicorns do not exist. There may be a force which holds the universe together but it has no influence on individual inhabitants of any of the planets.

I never noticed the dates I just went on things I am interested in, if that's called motivation so be it.

dramatictessa I had dramatic proof that prayers do work. So someone is answering perhaps not all prayers but some.

Like Russian roulette- sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.
I have lost many friends who have prayed, as sincere Christians, and who have lost children and sibblings, parents. Perhaps it was their fault? Perhaps they didn't pray 'properly' - perhaps?

3 years ago I read my horoscope- and it was right - proof.

I am glad that I don't believe in this god person as it appears he can pick and choose whose prayers he listens to, odd not what I would expect.

practical would you care to share what your dramatic proof is? That's not a challenge, just an invitation.

Nothing like Russian roulette and I do not believe God picks on a whim , people have prayers answered sometimes and sometimes the answer is no. Anyone who claims to have had prayers answered must also have had the answer no too.

We expect answers we want no matter if they are not right for us

Proverbs 3.5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

dramatictessa a family member was in critical care and we were sent for in the night. He had 2 serious operations and there was a bleed in his stomach they had put a camera down and couldn't find where it was coming from so they said they would give it one more go then would have to operate but didn't think he would pull through an operation. There was 4 of us there in that room all saying a prayer. A few min's later we heard a doctor outside the room saying it just stopped without us doing anything. They hadn't even tried the camera again. He must have been in a bad way for them to send for us in the night. The next morning he was fine as if it never happened. As the bible says wherever two or more are gathered in MY name I will hear you.

Jesus loves me—this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong—
They are weak, but He is strong.

Refrain
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
Yes, Jesus loves me!
The Bible tells me so.

Jesus loves me—He who died
Heaven’s gate to open wide;
He will wash away my sin,
Let His little child come in.

Refrain

Jesus loves me—He will stay
Close beside me all the way,
Then His little child will take
Up to Heaven for His dear sake.

There is the deal. No mention of saving anyone's life or easing their pain. Just a promise to whisk you up to heaven when you die. Even as a child I didn't think this was a good deal.

Practical, I think your claims turn some from God not to him sorry.

Very interesting `The Big Questions` last Sunday asking this question. The problem for me is that if you are a believer or a non believer then that seems to be fixed and not open to being persuaded otherwise . A bit like political persuasion ! I am an Atheist but can fully understand the draw of religion . Why would you not want to die and go to `paradise ` or have an omnipotent being that you could talk to . I have really tried in the distant past to believe, especially when things were going wrong in my life , but it is just not an option for me . I believe that Men created God.

Lord above practical - and all those he does not hear!!?? - just tough shit for them I guess!

f77ms- that was a really interesting programme on Sunday. I love the Big Question.

Yes Luckygirl - it was tough shit for that little boy- and for millions more.

f77, I believe in God but can understand why some do not.

I understand Annie. What do you think about prayer saving some, and not others though? Especially little children?
Genuine question, thanks.

The question goes to practical as well- anyone indeed. It is not an easy one to answer, I know- but I truly would like to hear your views. I was quite young when a friend died after being very ill, and the Vicar told us it was to test the faith of her parents and all of us. It made me so sad, and angry at the time- and I think it is possibly at that young age that I realised I could not believe. DH had many Asian patients who believed that their childrens' illnesses or birth defects were to punish them for past deeds, or those of parents in the past too.

Many children have no-one to pray for them- many of them who are prayed for never survive and suffer terribly.

I do not believe God chooses one child to live but chooses to allow another to die just depending on his mood.

We were distraught when my brother died three days old, the PM revealed he had brain damage , he was saved from much suffering

The little boy who drowned and his body washed up on the beach could have been prevented by man , we allowed him to drown, not saying God chose for him to die, we did

Just read your second post granjura , what a load of rubbish in my opinion

Thank you Annie- I agree. I know that many Christians believe otherwise, that prayer can save (but only some ... which I find abhorrent).

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your little brother.

Post crossed Annie- what is rubbish? What the Vicar told me at the time and what is told by some Indian religions re Karma?

granjura, I was brought up in a baptist manse, a family friend was the rabbi from a local tabernacle , I have always remembered his lovely story which was his belief in a God of love

When the Red Sea covered the Egyptians the Angels cheered but God cried, when asked why cry your children have been saved , God replied - and my children have drown

Thank you- wonderful, I agree x

Is is such a hard issue for anybody. Believer or not.