Oh, for gods’ sake!

Posted on by Ark

Text from a recent podcast I listened to over at David Robertson’s Third Space site between a  Dr. Sameh Maurice and Robert Martin on the Power of Prayer.

Dr. Maurice:’We have seen signs, wonders miracles , people raised from the dead …

Robert Martin: ”You’ve seen people raised from the dead?”
Dr. Maurice: ”Yeah, yeah .. kidney transplants, People in the intensive care died clinically, and um, and Jesus appeared to them and brought them back to life…”

When I questioned the veracity of this and asked if there was any evidence to support the claim I was accused of calling Maurice a liar.

Can’t argue with this, right?

 

Ark.

73 thoughts on “Oh, for gods’ sake!”

    1. Let Robert Martin reply with the same answer he offered me .

      I consider myself a sane, reasonable person, but I have no reason to doubt his claim. Why would he lie about it?

      Oh, and even though the site is specifically directed at non-believers who are actively encouraged to comment, Arkenaten is now banned over at Third Space.
      Fortunately, Douglas Pearce is not …. yet.

      I would love for you to interact. I need something new to read.

      https://thirdspace.org.au/city/melbourne/episode/ep-146-there-power-prayer

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          2. I know, right? ‘Tis a bloody mystery I tell you.
            I am completely baffled.
            Maybe they don’t like truth …. wiv a capital ‘T’ after all?

            Would I lie to you?

            Liked by 1 person

          4. Btw Ark, did you happen to catch Luis Suárez’s goal just now versus RCD Mallorca? WOAH was it utterly sublime! And the tiki-taka passing thru the edge of the penalty box and his finish was a gem to watch! 😮

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          5. Here’s the highlight and replays. As a fellow footballing fanatic… you can truly appreciate the buildup and brilliance of this finish! It is a magnificent goal!

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          7. Grrrrr, well fiddle-sticks. Probably violates transmission/copyright laws. Lookup “Suárez back-heel goal vs Mallorca.” That should do it.

            It isn’t JUST a back-heel either. If you’re familiar with billiards, when you hit downward the Que-ball and make it pop-up in the air, with spin… that is what Luis did with this goal. It is sheer beauty Ark, promise. Try to find it! 🙂

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          9. Indeed. The tiki-taka buildup to his goal was a piece of team-wide artistry too! ❤ Granted it was Mallorca. 😉

            You know, I have to at least get excited about ONE of my two clubs this year. Though they may not win UEFA Champions League, at least they're playing really well right now.

            At season's end, while The Reds are sure to win the Premiership (deservedly), my Gunners are going to end up in the middle of the table (or lower) and not qualify even for the Europa League! Ugh, how embarrassing is that for such a historic, prestigious London club. 😢

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          11. Thank you. It is important to keep them on their tootsies – and , after all, the owners did say the site was for usgod haters non- believers,too.

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      3. Somebody doesn’t have to be a liar to be wrong. We have no reason to doubt that he believes his claim, but we have every reason to doubt his claim. lol

        Also many people make up these claims, so we do have some reason to doubt his claim. lol

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  3. Why’s it a bad thing to call Maurice a liar? Oh wait…

    And remember, if it’s the electric crash cart that brings someone back from the dead, we need to thank Thor and not Yahweh.

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  4. Hello Ark. With all this power and ability it should be a simple matter for their deity to regrow an amputated limb right in front of an audience and press while it is being recorded. With these powers why are there sick kids in hospitals? If any of these healers and miracle praying people have these powers and they are not camped out where they can do this for all who need, they are piss poor Christians, or what they want us to believe Christians are. Seems their real power is getting people to fork money over to them. I bet they do pray hard for that. Hugs

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    2. with all the billions of prayers that have been sent heavenward you would think we would be living in a simpler, gentler, stress free world, with no illness, no pain, no misery. You’d think some of them might have worked.

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    4. SCOTTIE:

      And before you get too irate:

      God is working His purpose out, no? So even if the ways of The Lord seem a little … different … to us, who are we to judge? So toddle along to the nearest Bible-pump and empty your wallet into the collection bucket, right now, you’ll be forgiven and we’ll say no more about it. Sheesh!

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      1. Hello Argus. You are correct that god is a weird duck. But if 2500 years are not enough prayers with an ever increasing population I have to figure that someone is either not listening or simply not there. Hugs

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        1. Your forget, Scottie … that poor ol’ God is single-handedly running this entire universe … and, if science is to be believed, all the numberless innumerable limitless infinite others. Give the poor ol’ guy some slack, there … busy busy busy, you know how it is. What’s more important, the ailing petunias you prayed for or the holy war between the Betelgeusiands and the Zorponese with millions of dead and maimed in both systems?

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  5. Once, whilst I was praying in a graveyard for the dead to rise, they did! I filmed the whole event and made a movie out of it. It’s called Night of the Living Dead, if you’re interested in watching it. Yep, all I did was pray, and the dead rose. You believe me, right? I mean, if you don’t believe me, that would mean you’re calling me a liar, and we both know that’s not a nice thing to do. So. there. I prayed, and the dead rose, and if you call me a liar and say it didn’t happen, you’re a nasty guy. Thanks. Now I’m off to pray to make superheroes become real cause I simply LOVE comic books!

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    1. Now just HOLD ON a dog-gone minute IBTD1!!!! Aren’t there 1,852 zombie TV shows on the air right now? What’s the big deal about raising dead people!!!??? If it happens on TV right in front of our eyes, then it certainly happens everywhere else today!

      Now I’m sure the stench is awful, but nothing a little enema air-freshener won’t fix if you cram it up their suppository receptor. 😁 I believe they have them for oral intake too! So… cram away Jeff!!!

      Oh! And I’m quite sure they have pleasant Christian air-freshening enemas/suppositories too. But avoid the ones that are crucifixes! Apparently those OTC fresheners are being withdrawn by a few Evangelical Conventions and thousands of Catholic Bishops around the world, but particularly in the Boston area. 😬 Must be very careful with exactly WHAT TYPE of “raising and resurrecting” is being done. Read, read, READ the directions on the label I say!!! 👿

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      1. Necessary footnote — My unconventional joking/jousting was in no way intended to offend real-life victims of horrible church-staff crimes, btw. I was only wanting to point out the phenomenal hypocrisy of religions, their supporting followers (as accessories to these crimes), and those abusing their “perceived” authority, if that makes sense. My sincere apologies if I unintentionally offended anyone who has in anyway suffered from these monsters hiding behind piety and cathedrals being protected by their colleagues and church organization. Thought I should point this out—I just realized it AFTER I hit the Send button. :/

        Sorry Ark. You can remove it if you want. I was only meaning to joke around with Jeff as we have done so often. 🙂

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          1. 😆 Yeah, see… I knew I could NEVER offend you Jeff. 😉 However, sometimes in my haste or jovial, not-thinking-ahead ridiculousness on the internet—similar to when dumb, hetero Neanderthals (like I was in my younger years) notice a very attractive female and every pint of blood goes in ONE direction, south, leaving the cranial area completely VOID of any intelligence for far too long!—I type some… well, “edgy” cheeky stuff that maybe I should’ve stopped and reconsidered. HAH!!! Yeah, right. That’s like telling the Lady “I’ll pull out in time. Trust me!” I’ve realized too often that I’m not so smart at times, just a bone-headed idiot. “Know your limitations boy!” my Dad would say to me. I should’ve listened more and heeded his wisdom. LOL

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          2. PT … just as a bystander to this conversation … methinks you have a bit of an affixation on certain male activities. 🙃

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          3. 🤣🤣🤣 Nan, whatever gave you that idea?

            (whispers under his breath so Nan might not notice… “Damn it. Guilty as charged. Can’t slip ANYTHING past that hawk-eye, sharp-as-a-razor… Madame Nan!“)

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        2. Prof:

          Never apologise, never explain … no point, you ain’t going to Heaven anyway. Not now. (And there has to be someone home to apologise too … not an empty Sunday Suit.)

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  6. “God helps those who help themselves.” This was surely invented to explain why their god really didn’t help anyone. So, when you help yourself and you benefit, they claim their god was “working through you.”

    What an effing scam! These people have no shame.

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  7. IDK. When it comes to performing miracles, I think Pfizer has raised more men from the dead during the last 20 years than Jesus has in the last 2000.

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  9. How very vexing. This is incredibly baffling. 🤔 WHEN did it become offensive to ask for confirmations, evidence, or data if one was not present at the time of the event!? Was someone possibly videoing at the time? Was someone jotting down notes… like they use to do in ancient Palestine, Alexandria (Egypt), and Cilicia (Asia Minor)!?

    Or when did simply asking questions become so offensive!? This is quite puzzling Ark! 😕

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    1. Hello Professor. You ask a grand question. It happened when religious groups made a huge push to attack science and install their myths as equal to science. Education became suspect and was preached as the enemy from the pulpit. Their goal of getting completely indoctrinated religious people on school boards to sabotage education worked, and their crowning jewel was teaching young kids to question and refute their teachers with religious dogma designed to disrupt the class and weaken the teachers authority. Something they would never allow in church or to the church leaders. Oh BTW, I loved your satire above and can not see why anyone can take offense. Hugs

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      1. I can’t and shouldn’t add anything else to your accurate assessment Scottie. Well done. 🙂

        Thank you for mentioning your enjoyment to my weird sense of humor. 😉 See, I would think there’s no possible way anyone should be offended by my cheekiness. BUT on the internet? Eeeee, it’s a lot more tricky, especially when there are thousands(?), millions(?) browsing who might be offended. I’ve learned that the hard painful way a few times. I must really think more, harder first before hitting the Send-button. Just because I mastered pretty well unpretentious etiquette in person, in live, real public domains with people, friends, strangers, etc, DOES NOT MEAN IN THE LEAST it is the same on the internet!!! I find the internet quite tricky sometimes in that regard. 😬🤐

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        1. Hello Professor. I think there is a large difference between deliberate attempts to offend and satire and humor. I think some people are just thirsting for something to take offense at rather than looking at the absurdities of life. If you are a person that lives to be offended then anything will offend you. If you are a person who wants to enjoy life then you will find humor in most things while understanding it is a joke and not a demand or solution. Keep up the jokes sir, the world needs humor right now. Hugs

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          1. Goodness. Scottie, you’re going to make me tear-up with all your flattery. LOL 😉 Nonetheless, thank you. ❤

            I couldn't agree more with you regarding life's BEST medicine: laughter! Not taking this life… or death for that matter, so seriously. Constantly looking for, expecting, and demanding perfection in everything and everyone ironically only reveals MORE imperfections!!! Embrace life and ourselves simply as it/they are. What's the point in never being happy, never content, and not spreading more laughter? To EVERYONE, no matter their personal choices and PRIVATE matters—like spiritual/religious choices. Right? 🙂

            What an UTTER WASTE OF LIFE and TIME demanding perfection (righteousness?) over so many other wonderfully messy, funny things in life! Yes?

            Okay. Done with my perverted, heathen-born sermon. Carry on, we now return you to your regularly schedule program. 😛

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          2. Hello Professor. Lucky for both of us I have a huge dislike of lying, and I tend to speak my feelings even when in an inappropriate space. I am just a bit weird that way. 😀😃😄😉🤩🤩 Many hugs

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  10. It’s no use trying to reason with pastor Robertson or anyone else who refuses to question what any sane and rational person would question without being accused of calling people liars. Total waste of time.

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    1. As we interact with the religious over here, it is important for those who may be reading along to read other views, no matter they may sometimes be sarcastic or openly challenging.
      We are all aware how apologists white wash such tales and they do the same thing with the bible and the vile history of Christianity (and all religion) – David Robertson and his new pals over at Third Space are no different.
      Go read this post by Robertson on how to read the bible!
      https://thirdspace.org.au/city/blog/what-bible-and-why-should-we-read-it

      Robertson opens the post with a quote from Hitchens then proceeds to slam the man.

      Those who are much better versed in bible study than I am – such as you, Mike, need to take him to the cleaners over such posts.

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      1. I have triedin the past with him on his posts. But even I get the same responses as you. Either Bs, agressive backhands or deleted comments. As the warden in Cool Hand Luke said “some men you just cant reach”
        Some you can and it’s well worth the effort. I was one and I’m grateful to you and John Z for the efforts that eventually led me out of the madness. Robertson has demonstrated on multiple occasions that he is just not willing. He understands what the objections are and why they are valid. He’s just not willing to be honest with himself and others to actually do anything about it. Except to bs and delete.
        Not worth the time until he is.

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        1. “He’s just not willing to be honest with himself” … could it be that he’s not happy to lose a lifetime’s investment in a now obviously dead duck?

          Or perhaps that he’s afraid?

          Could he be desperately fighting an action he knows is a forlorn and doomed rearguard? Maybe he’s even sick with himself but will go on out of pure inertia?

          So long as he never openly admits it he can carry on fooling himself. More the fool him, then.

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          1. Personal and professional investment is a big part of his motivator not to be completely honest. Yes

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  12. I was interested to see that Reinhard Bonnke died on the 7th of December. He is credited (according to Wikipedia) to have overseen 75 million (I kid you not, could Wikipedia ever be wrong) conversions to Christianity.

    I was very much under his spell in my latter days of Christianity, lapping up the stories he told. The best one was about a person who had died and his body being stored under the church where Bonnke was preaching, his wife was next to coffin in a lone vigil, When Bonnke proclaimed in a loud voice “and the dead shall be raised” alleged the dead man sat bolt upright in the coffin restored to life.

    Back in the day I was convinced, but here is the odd thing. I remember talking with another Christian person about Bonnke, he told me how he did not get much of a response in Australia, pretty much all of his achievements were in Africa. This puzzled me at the time, now I have come to conclude that certain cultures are more prone to ‘belief’. It is a bit like the Mormon missionary who noted it was a lot easier to evangelise in less developed societies.

    Anyway back to topic of the post I am convinced that most of the rank and file folk really do believe and are subject to confirmation bias and a placebo affect. As I have said before on this site, I witnessed a friend of mine apparently being healed, and indeed he was better for a while but over a period of months he deteriorated and was soon worse than before. I am convinced that in his case it was entirely a placebo affect and indeed this friend of mine died in July this year just shy of his 60th birthday.

    A study by an investigative team of Benny Hinn’s miracles concluded pretty much matched my friends experience, they were unable to find a single actual healing, instead the majority cases they looked into the people ended up being worse than before the ‘healing’.

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    1. I think the magic word is not ‘healed’ but ‘in remission’. Sometimes the body seems to recover, as in many cancers, and a lot of people credit the twigs and berries they’ve been rubbing on their ears, or some such, and a few weeks later they’ve gone back down the slippery slope again.
      And sometimes the medicine they stopped taking because they were in remission could have saved their lives, if they’d just stuck with it.

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