JustCallMeNick
Member
It seems to me lately that the idea of prayer (as traditionally considered in the West, where a God hears and answers them) is unfalsifiable. Folks who pray will often eagerly tell stories of how this or that prayer has been answered in a way that seems impossible or beyond mere coincidence. But consider all the prayer requests that God, it seems, does not answer. Growing up in Christian circles, there was always a ready-made answer for these situations. Perhaps the thing being prayed for is itself sinful. Perhaps the person's motives in praying for said thing are selfish or otherwise impure. Perhaps God is trying to teach him or her patience or humility. Or perhaps it's simply "not God's will," even if it seems like an otherwise good and noble request.
With these ready explanations, it seems to me that the idea that God hears (and answers) our prayers is unfalsifiable. There is no conceivable outcome that could convince a believer with this mindset that God is not hearing and answering.
What do you think? Does God hear our prayers? What makes you think that?
With these ready explanations, it seems to me that the idea that God hears (and answers) our prayers is unfalsifiable. There is no conceivable outcome that could convince a believer with this mindset that God is not hearing and answering.
What do you think? Does God hear our prayers? What makes you think that?