If God does not answer prayers should the religious powers-that-be shut down the churches?

I followed the question with suggesting a partial shutdown that could be open to other uses -funerals,  weddings,  etc.

Then the point of your question is not clear to me. Taking my synagogue as an example, it's closed much of the time anyway, often with only the rabbi, executive director, and building staff present. When the Hebrew School is in session, its staff and students are also present. We only have bigger crowds for Shabbat and holiday services/celebrations and occasional special events. The building is also available, of course, for lifecycle events. And whom do you mean by the "religious powers that be?" We have a rabbi and executive director who are employees, and the Board of Trustees which comprises members who volunteer their time. Who else is there outside of a given congregation to decide when it should or should not be open and available to its members and the community?

Given the vagueness of the question of God's existence plus human nature, you would never reach a consensus on the prayer-answering issue anyway. I'm afraid that the more I think about it, the less sense this question makes, at least to me.

I was just kind of referring to Trump as the 'powers that be' (partial) shutting down the government in demanding money for the wall.

I don't specifically know who are the ultimate powers-that-be,  but except for the Catholic Church it would be the Pope. This post was edited by Kittigate at December 25, 2018 9:55 AM MST

But with separation of church and state, the president has no authority over religious institutions.

I am only tying the president in with churchy stuff in a comedy sort of way.

My church will not take any money ever.


NONE.  We also believe as you do.  When money changes hands, especially in that capacity, all goes down hill.

But how can churches, synagogues et al support themselves without money? Clergy and support staff need to be paid living wages and buildings have to be maintained. None of that stuff is free.

God puts into place those in authority.  You are rebelling against @therealGod.

Your brain is begging your fingers to stop typing.  Listen to it.  

I don't think even you know what you believe.

Stop with the first three words and you've got it.


You don't think.  

I am going to give you two cards.  One I like and one you wish I would have sent.  

That is nonsense. Satan is the god of worldly authority (Luke 4:5&6).

God does not deal in authority, he gives apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for the work of the ministry and edifying of the body of Christ.

Very few church people ever learn these things because they don't read their bibles. They have no clue what it's about.

So?  Everyone who has not read a book is not worthy of GOD?

I think you need to come off your BIBLICAL PEDESTAL and down back to the earth.  You know that earth that was worshipped before you and your bible thumping holy rollers desecrated and defamed her by slaughtering animals, killing your brothers who were not bible thumpers because they were savages, and what else?  Oh yes, the bible and God are not on your side.  

Not with that attitude.

There are spiritual beings on this earth before the BIBLE or any Christian word of GOD was even around.

This is nothing against the Christians.  The one's who really know what Christ Consciousness is.

The ones who came before Jesus.  Jesus said:  (FROM THE BIBLE) what I can do, you can also do and MORE.  Jesus was a spiritual messenger.  He was realized when he came down to Earth.  He became GOD. 

I don't know what page that is on in your book?  BUT TRUST ME, I know what I am talking about more than half the ones who are thumping and reading.

Experience is the best teacher.  Not some book on GOD.  

Think of all the people before the Bible and think of a loving God leaving them in the dust because they didn't read something that was yet to even be visualized.  COME ON.

That's your dogmatic belief. There is no objective reality about it.

You do not have a passing acquaintance with objective reality.  

Or what dogma even is.

Or karma for that matter.

You have no idea what I do or do not have passing acquaintance with, and it's presumptuous of you to think that you do. I know that Christianity is a highly dogmatic faith based on belief rather than facts. By definition, that makes it different from objective reality. You would do well to stick to talking about that which you know so as to avoid inserting your foot into your mouth.

That statement about Stu B is mistaken.
When you get to know him over a longer time on this site, you will discover he is one of the sanest, smartest, best educated and most realistic of Muggers.
Just because you think or believe differently to another person does not mean that their perception of reality is false.
It takes a lot more to prove a case than simply making assertions.

When He says 'no' that is why the churches should shut down until He changes His mind or explain why in order to  help understand the wisdom of His ways. Nobody likes being kept in the dark.