We didn't pray

Damnit, someone should be! If a God exists, she should be doing all in her power to stop all bad things from happening to people. If I thought it would be productive, I'd pray for that.The more important question raised by your post is: how does John Travolta rate an exclamation mark?

Does "tennis" become "Tennis" because you are playing against a deity?I would rather play against someone at a skill-level similar to my own. And if I win, I want it to be because I have played above my previous abilities, not because my opponent let me win. Winning means nothing if it is without effort.Cheers.{spelling error corrected}This message has been edited by Michael, 03-31-2006 04:36 PM

Sounds like a story that Michael Moorcock could have written. The only thing I've seen him in was Pride and Predudice, but my attention was mostly focused elsewhere on the screen. However, I think I can approve. At least he seems to be able to act.Cheers.

Okay. If I ever had a virus, and had a game scheduled, I would most likely just call off the game. I probably wouldn't even schedule a match against an opponent who I didn't think I might beat. And She is going to let me win this game if I choose to? I almost never play doubles. I prefer relying on myself (there ya go ...). I have played a fair amount of tennis--I am unfamiliar with the terms "prosecutor" and "defense" with regard to the game. As can be seen here, I can be a fool. It doesn't bother me.Cheers.

First, I was thinking just in the context of life here on earth, and not considering the possibility of an after-life paradise. Otherwise I would have to consider the point that Modulous made here: So, without considering an afterlife, I think a fully omniscient, omnipotent god should be able to do a better job of minimizing the "bad" than an indifferent universe would.Nothing can be defined objectively as being "bad." However, I think most people would consider the suffering caused by earthquakes to be bad. On the good side, earthquakes provide an occupation for seismologists, architects who design earthquake-resistant buildings, etc--but those people could find other occupations in the absence of earthquakes.So, my preferred god would understand this. She would be able to "tap" stress-points in the crust to create very tiny quakes so as to prevent the build-up of large stresses. No more suffering from earthquakes--beats the hell out of an indifferent universe.To tie this into the greater topic: I'd pray for that, and expect results.Cheers.

First, I think we might have been better off with the Tennis analogy--I'm having trouble finding any analogy in your latest post. Or is it your view that the entire bible is analogy?Second, I would suggest that, if you are introducing a heathen to the bible, you might find some other place to start than Revelations.Third, I think this is getting way off topic. Might be good fodder for the chat room sometime.Fourth: I'd always wondered how to score those balls that my opponent is knocking way over the fence.Cheers.This message has been edited by Michael, 04-02-2006 01:35 PM