Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.
Trending News
What do you think of this argument against God's existence?
What do you think about this argument? Pay special attention to the point about coincidence in the last paragraph:
The Bible clearly promises that God answers prayers. For example, in Mark 11:24 Jesus says, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." And billions of Christians believe these promises. You can find thousands of books, magazine articles and Web sites talking about the power of prayer. According to believers, God is answering millions of their prayers every day.
So what should happen if we pray to God to restore amputated limbs? Clearly, if God is real, limbs should regenerate through prayer. In reality, they do not.
Why not? Because God is imaginary. Notice that there is zero ambiguity in this situation. There is only one way for a limb to regenerate through prayer: God must exist and God must answer prayers. What we find is that whenever we create a unambiguous situation like this and look at the results of prayer, prayer never works. God never "answers prayers" if there is no possibility of coincidence.
16 Answers
- gutbucketLv 710 years agoFavorite Answer
It's just one of literally hundreds of logically sound arguments.
- Anonymous10 years ago
First of all in Mark 11:22 Jesus promises that it would happen if people truly believe, they have no doubts whatsoever. Can you tell me that whenever people pray they have zero doubt. We shouldn't have any doubt but believers do. Second of all in Matthew 26:39 the bible says, "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.""
Notice Jesus prays 'as you will.' This is how we all should pray. When we pray it is our opportunity to praise God and speak to him. If a person is a true believer they will know that God does know best so it would benefit us all if everything ran as God wants it. Even if this goes against what we want we must know that God knows best. Therefore if we pray for amputees to be healed that's fine but the likelihood is that won't happen because God may hae a purpose in them having a missing limb. Perhaps it will lead them to encounter people they otherwise would not have met.
Also God doesn't promise to answer prayers immediately, e just promises to answer them. Therefore we must be patient. He doesn't promise to perform miracles either, but we must rely on him. I believe at the setting up of the new kingdom amputees will regain their missing limb, so therefore for believers with a missing limb it is only a matter of time before they recieve it again.
- Anonymous10 years ago
If Jesus answered every prayer how we wanted the then everyone on earth would get what they wanted,imagine that!I've always be taught that God answers prayers like this yes,no or not now.This person you are talking about if was a christian then he know he'll get that limb back when Jesus calls him home.Whay Gods Word says on praying 1 thessalonians 5:16-18 Be joyful always;pray cotinully;give thanks to God in all circumstances,for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Mathew 5:44
Source(s): The Holy Bible(NIV) - 10 years ago
Yes the living god is able to make whole again the body and yes this must come through much prayer and fasting yet not for ones own satisfaction but instead for the glory of god. For the purpose of leading many to christ. When faith is weaker than limbs one must pray for an increase in faith once again not for oneself but for the profit of others.
- How do you think about the answers? You can sign in to vote the answer.
- meLv 610 years ago
Just so you know, I'm not religious. However, that proves that the people who wrote the Bible were inaccurate, not that God doesn't exist. Nothing in the Bible whatsoever can be used as a for sure way of testing out whether or not God exists. He didn't write the Bible, humans did. And humans tend to edit things, exaggerate, be bias, or even just flat out make sh*t up. Now I'm not saying there is a God, I certainly have my doubts, but in regards to your question it only invalidates the Bible, not God.
- Anonymous10 years ago
I can't really remember reading the Bible..Recently. But I know that explanation is meant to be spiritual, either that or he means in your deepest dreams, virtually - lol. I don't know..Why am I even answering it, I'm just making suggestions here. Hey - how about you amputate your limbs, or mutilate yourself and pray to God...You don't know; you've never tried it! It could be that you receive your limbs in a dream, or gain them in Heaven..God knows. (No pun intended..Even if that wasn't one...)
Also: Read 'me's' answer, or the people above me...
- Anonymous4 years ago
i'm undecided if it particularly is a competent argument against the existence of God, a extra effectual case would desire to be made for undeniable old commons experience. yet your counter-argument isn't very persuasive. If imperfection is "friendly" in some types, you're caught on the horns of a predicament on the definition of the notice "god", which, as on your case, would would desire to contain misguided layout (for the sake of "attractiveness"? delivery defects???) and cruelty (helps suffering yet "loves" you).
- ed fLv 710 years ago
I think it sounds a little hollow.
God does answer prayer, I know nothing of coincidence. I think that people just misunderstand prayer and the power therein.
- 10 years ago
You assume that if God answers prayers, the answer will always be "yes". That isn't the case. Prayer isn't a magic genie lamp. I know atheists see it that way, but believers know better.
- Anonymous10 years ago
Very good point,,I wonder how many of the poor souls who died under the hands of the Nazis prayed for life but were denied,,well 6,000,000 for a start
I shall assume the thumb down is a disrespectful gesture to the millions who were gassed, burnt, shot, starved and whipped to death
Source(s): Atheist,, - ?Lv 510 years ago
Very weak argument. If God restored missing limbs then EVERYONE would SEE that miracle and convert. Converting to God means "HAVING FAITH WITHOUT SEEING"God wants people to come to him with their hearts and souls opened up. He doesn't want followers that SEE and believe because its a HAVE TO situation. God doesn't force Himself on us. It is up to us to find Him without SEEING HIM.