Thread: Who do you "pray" to?

There was a recent news blurb on the local news channels here about people using virtual prayer. Basically leaving prayers on websites.

So this prompted me to ask this question that I have been holding back on for a long time.

Who do you pray/meditate/sacrifice/etc.. to?

I listed a few above, but feel free to name your own.

This is multiple choice BTW.

I picked FSM, God, Earth/nature spirits, and other.

Why? FSM because I must say that I hold faith in science and reason in a way that the deeply devout seem to have it in God. It is, IMHO quite different in that I beleive that my "proof" is more "right" than what they see as "proof" behind their faith. The FSM is a wonderful exercise in argument by absurdity against the creationist/anti-evolution side of the wold that treats ANY "theory" based on faith as the rational equivalent of the "Theory" of Evolution.

God, because I think I believe, in spite of my faith in science and reason , that there is something bigger than us, I can not know what it is, but the God instilled in me by my Judeao-Christian (Jewish, actually) upbenging has provided me with a metaphor through which to relate to that "thing" that is out there.

Earth-Nature spirits because when I hike, when I climb mountains, when I lose myself in nature, I feel that there is a power, a force, an uncaring strength along with a loving life-giving force that I can not see, but can feel, and it might be the "God" from above, but it is removed from my metaphor, and comes from my surroundings. It encourages me to say "thank you" when I pick a wild berry.

I picked "other" because I think anyone that answers lie i did above pretty much has to have an "other" in there.

Some people may not be aware of the Invisible Pink Unicorn argument.

The basic premise of the argument is that anywhere you read or say the word (insert deity name here) you place invisible pink unicorn. This argument is older than the FSM, the FSM just has a bible of sorts.

Indigenous Deities! One is purring right beside me, the other one just went out.
They lift my spirit, calm the soul and relax the muscles. Only downside: they make me smiling wrinkles.

Originally Posted by singlewedge

Some people may not be aware of the Invisible Pink Unicorn argument.

The basic premise of the argument is that anywhere you read or say the word (insert deity name here) you place invisible pink unicorn. This argument is older than the FSM, the FSM just has a bible of sorts.

Yeah, the FSM really did get out of ahnd, huh? I haven't had any exposure since 2006 or so. I just love Russell's teapot in all its forms.
That IPU is just silly though. Really? I mean, it doesn't even have a noodly appendage...how does it touch you?

Myself, Earth Spirits, Other.

Myself: I don't pray to myself, but I do rely only on myself where others rely on a "God" for help. IME, there is no help from anything other than humanity and nature.

Earth Spirits: To continue on the nature thing, I do feel relaxed by nature and there is something spiritual about it. With that said, (because I know some of the more religious guys will say so) I do not attribute this feeling to any God. Happy feelings and spiritual calmness are feelings, not supernaturally inspired.

Other: Leaving room for my agnosticism.

To God the Father in the name of His only begotten Son Jesus (Christ is His Title not His name). I came to this point when I was 31 after reading, studying, and generally just trying to make sense of things. There was a man by the name of Simon Greenleaf who through the use of forensic evidence stated that Jesus had to be exactly who he said he was not in spite of but because of the evidence. Professor Greenleaf (Harvard law school) is known as the father of modern forensic evidence.

There is another man named Anthony Flew who for 40 years wrote books on evolution and atheism who has now denied that faith and now believes in intelligent design. There are many scientists and scholars who are leaving the faith of evolution due to new evidences and studies but that's a subject for a lecture hall or church service. The truth is people believe or don't believe based on personal feelings instead of facts more times than not.

You left Steve Jobs off your list.

-Rob

I believe in me and whatever higher power answers the most prayers i suppose.

So far "Me" is winning.

Originally Posted by smokelaw1

Yeah, the FSM really did get out of ahnd, huh? I haven't had any exposure since 2006 or so. I just love Russell's teapot in all its forms.
That IPU is just silly though. Really? I mean, it doesn't even have a noodly appendage...how does it touch you?

It has a horn. A sparkely, pretty horn.