How To Get To Heaven When You Die

[mrveggieman]

Duane, perhaps I did not explain that clearly enough. I have no problem with people who pray seeking strength in coping with life. My issue is with people who pray as a means of curing/fixing whatever is causing them distress.

What is wrong with that? Let's say for the sake of argument that their is no God and they are praying in vain. Even if that is the case if it gives someone comfort to pray for a cure during their last days what is the problem with it?

[Paddington]

I would not have to "defeat" it. I would just have to accept it. Are you suggesting that you would be praying for a cure, or praying for the strength to accept your fate?

We're supposed to pray for all of our concerns. We can pray for a cure and the strenght to accept His will. The key is to pray that His will would be done ultimately.

1Jo 5:14 ¶ And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: {in: or, concerning}
And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.

Jesus prayed that the cross would be taken from Him, but He ultimately wanted God's will. This is how we should pray:

Mt 26:39 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

[Star_Cards]

Really? not that i agree with all that is in the post, but it takes a stronger person to believe than not to believe. anyone can say, "that is not worth my time", and everyone does in some form or another.

how does it take a stronger person to believe than not to believe? I will have to disagree. If you want to simplify not believing to "that is not worth my time" I will then do the same for believers and say... Anyone can say "someone told me this as I grew up so I will accept it as true."

not believing in a god is way more than just saying it is not worth my time.

Believers are the majority and some believers are fairly harsh towards non believers so I think it's fair to say that being a non believer and actually expressing that view could be considered strong if you know that you are going to get defensive believers attacking your belief. I'm in no way saying that it's tough to be a nonbeliever but it is a view that isn't of the norm and weak people (as you claimed nonbelievers were weaker than believers) don;t tend to go against the norm. they tend to follow the numbers.

[Star_Cards]

I'm going to have to disagree with you on that my friend. We all turn to something in our times of need. Some drugs, some alcohol, some religon, some gambling, some of us even collect cards when we are down. (go figure) That being said even if one dosen't believe in God at all which you have every right not to there is no one on earth who is perfect and never experienced a storm in their life and had to turn to something for strength in their time of need. That being said we all have weaknesses.

I find it odd that you compare praying to people who look towards gambling, drugs, and alcohol for escape of comfort. Most of the list you chose are terribly poor ways to deal with things and escape. I do get what you are saying but think most of your examples are poor comparisons. As a person that doesn't pray I usually turn to friends and family to get through tough times when I can't work through them on my own.

[mrveggieman]

shrewsbury and veggie - any more agreement on issues between you two will result in infractions. I don't know where you guys get off being agreeable, but it has to stop. This is the P&R section after all...

Lol Duane I'm sure that they will be plenty for us to disagree on.

[habsheaven]

What is wrong with that? Let's say for the sake of argument that their is no God and they are praying in vain. Even if that is the case if it gives someone comfort to pray for a cure during their last days what is the problem with it?

Nothing wrong with it. To each his own.

[Star_Cards]

Let me ask you or any other atheist this. When you are going through a storm in your life who/what do you turn to for strenght?

just answered this in my post above, but will expand. For me I go to friends and family. People who I have an actual trusting relationship with. People who I know I can rely on due to past experiences. I'm a big believer in using personal experience to gauge my decisions on who to look to in tough times.

[mrveggieman]

I find it odd that you compare praying to people who look towards gambling, drugs, and alcohol for escape of comfort. Most of the list you chose are terribly poor ways to deal with things and escape. I do get what you are saying but think most of your examples are poor comparisons. As a person that doesn't pray I usually turn to friends and family to get through tough times when I can't work through them on my own.

Yeah those were the first few things off the top of my head. I also mentioned cards (some people may also say that is a bad habit too) someone else mentioned going to the gym for comfort which I would think most of us feel is something positive. Ultimately you have to do what works best for you. Yes it can be good at times to discuss some of your problems with family and friends but as for me I know that my family and friends are human just like me and there is only so much that they can do. I take comfort in believing that no matter what happens in life there is something out there that is greater than us.

[Star_Cards]

That's a very defeatist attitude. An attitude I do not possess. I know that there is no issue in life that I cannot handle.

I agree with this 100%. My life hasn't been tough compared to many people I know, but I have gone through some very tough events and I'm confident that I can tackle most issues on my own and if I need help I look to the people I trust in life.

[mrveggieman]

I agree with this 100%. My life hasn't been tough compared to many people I know, but I have gone through some very tough events and I'm confident that I can tackle most issues on my own and if I need help I look to the people I trust in life.

Let me ask you the same thing I ask Habs. God forbid if you became terminally ill where would you get your strength?