My mom is a believer, she prays every God. She does not much care about the name of the religions but the God. She told me God is only one but only the human being gives different names. I know from the religious viewpoint it will be wrong but in my conscience my mom is right. What do you think? Is it a wrong idea to pray every God?
127107
There is a famous story of an English Pagan king who was visited by a Missionary. He was told about Christianity and immediately accepted it!\n\nThe missionary was curious when the King took a cross from him. He asked why did you accept Christianity without question. He took the missionary to the back of his hall and showed him a table of idols and put the cross among them. \nThe Missionary asked you will have to destroy all these idols now. The King answered, I believe in all these Gods, I do not know which is the right one so I pray to them all. At least one must be the true one.\n\nYour mother is correct there is but one God with many names. Find one image of God that suits you and pray to that one alone.
227952
"One, every single person has a different god and each religion prays to a different god, how do you knowyour religion is right and how can you know there is your god if so many others believe there is another one."\n\nI'm a Hindu. Hinduism teaches that there is one God but that humanity calls God by different names and has different approaches to God. There is a story that explains this concept a bit. There are three blind men walking in a forest. The first blind man comes across an elephant and touches its trunk as the elephant passes. The second blind man comes across an elephant and is only able to touch its tail as it passes. The third blind man also comes across an elephant and is able to touch the elephants body as it passes. Each of these blind men make their way back to their village where no elephant has ever been seen and each tells them about their experiences. Which one is right about the elephant? God is like that elephant and we are like those blind men. God is so big and vast and infinite that our minds can't fully experience all of God, instead we can only experience small portions of God. Another example: picture the ocean. It is a vast body of dihydrogen monoxide (H20) or water. The water evaporates and forms clouds and then when the clouds become too full, the water falls back down in the form of rain. The rain falls down the mountain tops and forms streams. The streams form rivers and the rivers merge back with the ocean. We are the individual water molecules and the ocean is God. The streams paths that form religions and the rivers are the various religions, but ultimately all rivers merge into the ocean. The water returns to its source. There is no 'wrong' religion. Any person, regardless of religion, geography, age, gender, or any other differences can discover the universal truths that are inherent of our inner nature. The proof is written by all those who became enlightened throughout the world's religions. St. Terese of Liseaux a Christian, Rumi a Muslim, as well as others from all traditions.\n\n"Also, if "god" is so bloody "great" then why did both world wars happen? rape? murder? kidnap? 911? the list goes on..and if you really think being gay is a "sin in the eyes of so called god" then why would he let this happen if he really did exist???"\n\nWars, murder, rape, kidnap, 9-11...these things happen because of karma, both individual and collective karma. Karma is sanskrit and simply means "action". Our "actions" bring about actions. Now, you're probably thinking "how did a person deserved to be raped?" and the answer is that they probably didn't deserve to be raped, they were just karmically supposed to have a bad day. However, if the culture is lenient on rapists or helps to foster and promote an enviroment where rape can happen (think of the US and all the violence on TV, movies, and videogames for example) then that person's bad day has to play out through the collective karma of the culture the person resides in. Karma is created by our actions, for which we have free-will. It might not sound great, but that's the answer. Therefore, Hindus don't usually blame people for the troubles they have, they look at themselves. Most of the time its karma from a past life, sometimes it is definately karma from this life. And it's not as if karma is fixed. Fixed karma is rare. There is so much flexible karma and Hinduism tells us of atleast ten ways we can bend the effects of karma. And karma isn't technically bad or good. It simply is. Bad and good are perceptions of the doer and receiver. I act in a way that I believe is good, but that others think is bad because that is how the experience the results of my action. Or vice versa. When the karma cycles round, how I experience the karma, as bad or good, will again depend on my own perception of what is playing out.\nHindus are di
561525
I, even as a christian, do not believe that you NEED to say I am a christian or any other religion to be close to God... actually I hate to admit that I am a christian because belonging to a group like that seems ungodly in and of itself, just because I do not want to put any group above God.  But I do kind of know what you mean because I feel very differently than either of my parents about religion, however, the one thing I have going for myself (and my parents ARE ministers) is that they accept, because that is what God taught.  They like it that I have come to my own understandings, they would never deny me on the free will that God gave.  I do not usually suggest arguing with parents (even though sometimes it is ever so much fun)... but I might suggest that you let your mother know that you are God's creation and not your mothers, although thank her for providing you with life and love along the way. (I know that brings it in to the realm of believing again, but at least you will be challenging her on her terms).  Also, if she brings up the bible in ways that are meant to say you should live like this and this, let her know that that is not your relationship with God, we are all different because God created us that way and you will not slap God in the face by living the way others do because God's plan for you is not the same as your mothers, and for the bible, make sure you let her know that while it is a wonderful teacher, you are not going to put an idol above God, that is idolatry and you have a relationship with God not a book.  Again, I know that is still not getting you out there saying you are a non-believer, but while you consider what it is that you do believe this may help take the heat off of thinking and looking at religion differently than your mother.  God created us each uniquely, your spirituality is not going to be the same as mine, or your mothers.  God gave free will to be used, so yeah for you for using it and thinking instead of following blindly without knowing your relationship with the God you may know.
61095
Sounds good.  But why pray to the universe?  Is the universe conscious?\n\nAnd it does sound a lot like some things other religions have, like Eastern Religions.  Hmmm, perhaps you should study them and see if there are other good ideas they have to add to your Purist religion.\n\nGood luck with your religion.  ;)\n\nEDIT:  Oh yeah, and let me know if you get anywhere with it, because I am going to be a religious studies professor.  Wouldn't want to leave your religion out.  :-D\n\n2nd EDIT:  I didn't mean to imply you ripped off an Eastern Religion.  How do you think they came up with their ideas?  They contemplated the universe and the self!  And that is what you are doing.  That is why you both come to the same truths.  I only suggested to research them because if there is something good in them, then there is no sense in reinventing the wheel.
638749
You've just pointed out the biggest contradiction in a belief in god.  Religious people answer this (it isn't really an answer) by usually saying, "we can't understand god's will" or some such response.  But the truth is, it's contradictory and illogical.  Same thing for prayer -- if god's got a plan and it's already all laid out, why bother to pray to him for anything, since he's apparently already decided if you'll get it or not? \n\nAnd, apparently, if god has a plan, then me not believing in him is all part of his plan, and I'm just fulfilling his wishes by not believing in him -- so christians, stop trying to convert me!\n\n:)
462438
My mother has a very painful and terminal disease.  She prays that she will die soon.  \n\nThat is a big reason why I don't believe in god any longer.  She has been a faithful follower her whole life, and her lord /god/protector lets her suffer. \n\nI don't think that I will freak out when it's my time to go, and I KNOW that there are some people who are eager to go.
54018
I'm not, but I do appreciate having people in this section besides all the christians.  they kind of dominate it.  i consider myself a pantheist - god is all of existence, and nothing more - no divine conscious.  "god is the universe"  Additionally I do zen meditation.  neither of these practices do i really consider to be religious.  Christians would probably call me an atheist, because i don't believe in what they call God or really in anything supernatural.
67587
Good question and WOW lots of answers.\nAre ANY of them right?\nWhy is it all about religion - how about what you wanted - the POWER within the prayer?\n\nSo will the power of a faith help.\nYES - and NO.\n\nYes - when there is a chance that we can look within ourself and put all the worries into the creator's (or whatever) hand(s) - we undergo an emotional (and physical) change. We are able to heal and do remarkable things.\n\nNo - when we forgo common sence and put our entire belief that if the creator (or whomever) wants us cured then we will be cured.\n(The creator - or whomever - has and wants us cured - they are called Doctors and it is called medicine).\n\nWe all have our own paradyms of what is true religion and what is true faith.\n\nPrayer is a PERSONAL relationship with that source (GOD or otherwise).\nSo - the power flows from you to (whatever it is)\nSo - YES there is power in prayer (both good and bad)
364834
I believe that many deities exist---both known and unknown.  However, I only worship several.  Just because I may not know of or worship a deity does not mean that other deities cease to exist or are "bad".  I respect the fact that others may worship deities that I do not and hope that others return that respect.
180843
Religion is filled with contradictions. Most religious people claim to be tolerant and forgiving, but they are actually some of the least tolerant and forgiving people. Christianity is one of the universal religions, in that they always try to spread. Some (not all) religious people will always try and convert you. It's like you don't count in that "love all" until you're one of them. If you were to ask someone, Is love all inclusive? and Is God love? Most will say yes. And in that reasoning, God is love, and so therefore He is all inclusive. But then ask them why they are being so narrow-minded and excluding you for not having their faith. Then comment on their lack of love and lack of belief in God to be all inclusive. Me, I stay away from organized religions. Too much of a headache.
261091
I should imagine that God hates all religions.  Most wars have been fought in the name of one religion or another - and all in His name!  I should think he's fed up to the back teeth with it all.  All that is really required is for us to love one another; to treat each other with respect and compassion; to acknowledge God as our creator, and to have a personal dialogue with Him in the form of prayer.  To this end, I don't think He cares one iota where we choose to pray.
3679
Absolutely right. But have you noticed that this is only in the religous studies of the Christians. Following the beliefs of other cultures with the absence of a "rule book" the belief takes a completely different stance. Multiple gods are not inherent to fundamental change in the nature of God and Man. So does that mean the Christian beliefs are right or wrong? Maybe the old non-Christian beliefs have the answere.
656756
God isn't ALL anything - and God is not a person.\n\nGod is a metaphor for the universal energy that flows through and drives this existence.  We are all, at our essence, part of that very same energy (children of God).  We come here to learn something that we can only learn here on Earth and when we are done, we rejoin this energy (with the use of our own personal Death myths - i.e. Heaven).\n\nEvil is a metaphor for the limits and pitfalls of the flesh.  In this existence we are subject to a lot of negative emotion, much of it of our own creating.  Fear, guilt, resentment all lead us to despair, self doubt, intolerance - it helps us make bad choices - it helps us create our own personal Hell.  We are sometimes so consumed with this negativity that we cannot shake it upon death and we become lost - that is Hell.  Nothing more.\n\nThe God as Person thing, in my opinion, comes from the idea that we can "appeal to this energy" or ask for help as a child would a parent.  It's a father because it gives us exactly what we ask for (knowing from our thoughts and prayers) - mother would want us to really consider our words, and be sure that it was just what we wanted.  Father says "you asked for it?  you got it!"\n\nFree will is so 100% on but people don't realize that it's on all the time - like being tape recorded.  If God is sending what we are thinking about then we are 100% in control of our existence.  There has been exhaustive research on the mind's ability to heal itself, affirmations, visualization, laughing yourself health, etc.  Of course the prayers of the faithful and meditation is popular also.\n\nSo let's suppose for a second that is true - that our brains are our "link" home (to God).  If that is true, then God is listening 24-7, not to what you say, but to what you think.  Does it seem that when you worry about losing your job, that is exactly what happens?  Our free will is working but we are using it incorrectly.  When we want that promotion do we think - Yipee! I am gonna get that promotion!  - or - Damn, I might not get that promotion!\n\nThe bottom line is nothing is all good or all evil - in fact I will go one further and say nothing is good or evil, it is all in the mind of the interpreter.  A thief can be evil, but a mother stealing bread for her hungry child can hardly be considered evil.  One who kills randomly is an evil murder, but one who puts a soul out of it's misery can be thought of as a hero.\n\nPeace!
192875
Wouldn't it be great if there were smarter questions than this one?\n\nNo, not everyone believes in God. By having one religion will only lead to conflict and suffering. There will always be people with different beliefs and/or non-beliefs. Having one religion for over 6 billion people is crazy. Grow up.
141324
You make an interesting point. I have made an exclusive study of the trinity in the Christian scriptures and found it to have a solid premise, albeit that particular word isn't in the bible, and neither is the concept directly addressed. I wouldn't attempt to go into it here - it's too much - and that wasn't your question. I know  little about the Hindu religion,  so I'm not really qualified to comment.  What I find interesting about your point - the trinity notwithstanding - is that Mary, the mother of Jesus is worshiped in some Christian religions, as some  pray to various saints as well. It does indeed sound like at least some Christians have more than one god. I think that's rather odd. But...I haven't answered your question. It's a bit tricky. If you were a Christian we could discuss it.
172299
Just because an athiest says the name of a person who happens to be in your book, doesn't mean he believes in them.  For example, if you said Allah or Muhamed(spelling), does that mean you are an muslim?  Not to mention, according to Christians using gods name in vain is considered a sin.  If these people truley believe in your god, do you think they would deliberately damn themselves to eternal torture?
651319
To believe in one God doesn't mean it should become a part of any religion or the "Creator" meant in each religion is not the same.\nMost of people think that their religion is the right one only because of their FANATICISM to their own faith. and most of them so intolerant to the other religions is only because of their EGO. That is a human characteristic.\n\nI came from Arabian family, my father,a Palestinian is Christian and my mom, a Lebanese is Moslem but we live so tolerant and respect to the difference of our faith. We belive that we pray to the only one same GOD, the creator of this universe.