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Only Judeism

Only Islam

Yes to both Judeism and Islam

[Orange Wizard]

I don't believe that prayer has any "power" per se. Mostly because it doesn't make any sense. I can't say on one hand that I believe in a god who has everything planned out, and yet still on the other believe that prayer will make him change his mind.
I will, however, reiterate that prayer is still a good thing to do (at least for Christians) primarily because God calls us to do it - and for many reasons beyond asking "God, please do X for me" - but also because of the meditation-esque reasons that Frumple pointed out.

And of course, actually doing stuff is a vastly more powerful testimony to God (and vastly more productive) than mere words. Faith without deeds is dead.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

I don't believe he has it all planned out per se
I believe he knows everything that can possibly happen and a few set event that he controls
Which the most important ones are when you are born and when you die

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

If you've ever seen men in black 3, that guy who can see all realities. That's how I think god can see this world, he can see all things that can happen

[Gentlefish]

Faith without deeds is dead.

Not according to Jack Chick!

[Orange Wizard]

Actually, that's another discussion entirely. As sad as it makes me to agree with Chick, I must concede that no, being a "good person" and doing good deeds will not justify you in the eyes of God.
Faith in Christ is what saves, but a mark of true faith is working and trying to do stuff right, even while admitting it's not enough.
Kinda circular, but there you go.

[Gentlefish]

I link that one more for the fact that, even though they were devout Christians doing good deeds and otherwise being Good Christians, because they didn't try to convert anyone while making sure those people were housed, fed, and educated, they're going to hell.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

You will not get into heaven through your good works or deeds because the weight of your sin is infinitely greater than the saving power of your deeds
Only faith in Christ can save you

[Gentlefish]

That's what I'm saying. Those people had plenty of faith in Christ, it's what kept them in Africa for so long.

The point Jack is trying to make is that because they didn't get a single conscious convert out of their examples through actions, that they're worthless and going to hell even though they were being quite Christian.

[Orange Wizard]

Oh, thank goodness. I don't have to agree with him after all.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

Oh, thank goodness. I don't have to agree with him after all.

Agree with who?

[Frumple]

I must concede that no, being a "good person" and doing good deeds will not justify you in the eyes of God.

Which mostly leads back into the "YWHW is a bastard" thing. Honestly, when I think of Streaker J, I prefer to think of the dude just going, "Naw, y'all alright. Strip down and join me, brethren." Strictly speaking against the text of the religion, sure, but man, anything that renders the divine a colossal jackass is something I'd rather just ignore, y'know? Chalk it up to screwed up transcription and man's hand mangling the divine message and see the holy as good.

Otherwise I'm morally obligated to consider the thing an enemy of all mankind and as much as I intend to spend the potential afterlife sticking whatever the eternal equivalent of a shiv is into the ribs of the divine, I'd much rather not have to

@Cryx: Jack Chick. Which is good, because generally when you're turning to that particular nutjob and seeing affirmation of your beliefs, it's probably time to reconsider your life choices.

[Gentlefish]

Feel free to look up the rest of his tracts. They're equal parts entertaining and extremist protestant.

[Cryxis, Prince of Doom]

Wait what?
Affirmation of my beliefs?
I never said you had to save people to go to heaven
You need faith in him
Ya good works won't cut it but faith will

[Orange Wizard]

Frumple is saying that Jack Chick is a religious nut. And if your beliefs line up with his, it's time to reconsider your beliefs.

[Descan]

What Frumple is NOT saying is that your beliefs line up with Chicky Chicky Boom Boom over there. But merely explaining why OW was saying "Loathe as I am to agree with Jack"

He was using the General You.

Anyway, omniscient god, even if he saw all realities, would by definition would know which reality is best (cuz he's omniscient) and therefore any prayer on your part would not budge him, either you lucked in to choosing to ask him for the reality that is best, in which case he was gonna do it anyway, or you picked the wrong one and he ain't gonna listen to ya.