In Reply to: Re: Does prayer work? posted by Mr. Don on August 16, 2004 at 17:56:35:
We are so much alike, me and you, at least when it comes to how sensitive we are when discussing certain issues here. My post was in no way a challenge to your belief in prayer. Nor did I allege that you specifically prayed for the hurricane to miss your family. For all I know, you merely prayed to accept whatever happened to you. Nor have I ever claimed that you have disparaged anyone's lack of faith or loss of faith.
You posted a prayer request for your family's safety. You then announced your family was safe, which I am glad of. But the implication of your two posts was that prayers were answered, which is how I framed it and which I think was a fair assessment to make given your expressed beliefs on this site. That's the only issue I was interested in, answered prayer. I merely used your posts as a convenient example since they were so recent, and I don't think there is anything in my post that can be taken as a personal attack on you or your belief system, or even disrespectful of your faith. (if I'm wrong about that, someone please point it out to me.) Just because I disagree with your beliefs doesn't mean I disrespect your personal faith. Just like me, you tend to take things way too personal. As far as respect goes, that is definately something that is necessary to give in order to receive. (oh my gawd, did I just quote the bible there!) [that's a joke on myself Don, and is not directed at you.]
My post was a sincere attempt to understand the phenomenon of praying for divine intervention in earthly affairs. If there was something in the way I worded things that caused you offence, I'm sorry. That was not my intention. My intention was to finally feel free to discuss on this site certain topics, reveal certain aspects of my personal journey, and question things, such as the efficacy of prayer.
By the way, I'm glad you have "complete recovery from the cult", after such a prolonged time in and relatively short time out. It's a startling claim to make under those circumstances, but I'll take your word for it.