Did prayer help you get into your first choice?

Applying to College
101

<p>If you never pray and otherwise have have no relationship with God, what makes you think that a random selfish plea will prompt God to grant your request? I would think prayer wouldn't affect your admission one way or another if you fit this description.</p>

<p>As for me, the plan is to logically apply to schools that I believe to be overall good matches. Then, I will pray that I end up at the school that would be best for me and prepare me to be the best person I can. Finally, I will just be satisfied.</p>

102

<p>POIH, Your ignorance is the only thing being shown by "doing a Yahoo search". You've claimed to know a lot about Hinduism, but your references to the temple are being purified are found in present day Hinduism not of the ancient "way of life". With your SATAN analogy you're displaying your narrow minded religious beliefs.</p>

<p>Not to bat for philosopher, but in his/her merit he has never argued for the existence of Vivekananda but rather for the existence of God. I think he used Vivekananda and his teachings as a mere justification.</p>

<p>I've just finished reading through the whole thing, you haven't responded to anyone FULLY. The best you've done is pick on SOME arguments and twist them around.</p>

<p>And the WTHs up with your screenname. Parent of Ivy Hope. You have got to be kidding me.</p>

<p>EDIT: I just glanced through some of your posts and they ARE STUPID. What makes you think 750 + is "average"</p>

103

<p>milki: You need to get things straight.</p>

<p>What I was trying to point to Philoshper that he talks of Hinduism treating all human equal. When in 21st century there are so many issue with a religion what do you think the ancient religion would have been. The post #100 just list how unequally the people are treated in Hinduism.</p>

<p>I always tried to respond to everyone fully as I'm doing it to you.</p>

<p>What is wrong with my screen name Parent Of Ivy Hope? My daughter is working hard for her dream school "YALE" and I'm hopeful she will get into thru hardwork. </p>

<p>The dictionary meaning of hope</p>

<p>"the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best:"</p>

<p>What is about 750+? If I got you right you might be talking about SAT IIs score. The idea was to know if scoring less than 750 on any SATII relinquishes hope of Yale admission.</p>

<p>One more thing milki; my thoughts are original and not some one's else.
Try to post some original thoughts if you can. What is their in holy books or scripture are someone else thoughts and you can only believe in it blindly or not.</p>

<p>The thought of GOD is created in someone's mind and people jumped on it. But this doesn't make it TRUTH.</p>

104

<p>I'd kill myself if this were my parent. How embarrassing for her.</p>

105

<p>^ I think that was established by her previous posts ;)</p>

106

<p>Look praying probably won't help. God's not gonna take sides and say, "well, this guy's been praying more often so I think he should be admitted instead of her..."
It's like praying for your favorite team in the Super Bowl - It's a waste of prayer. God doesn't take sides (come to think of it, He probably already knows who will win right from the kickoff...)</p>

107

<p>I will preface my post by saying that I respect atheism, am a firm believer in the separation of church and state, disagree with school prayer, and am a tree hugging liberal.</p>

<p>Parent of Ivy Hope- Do you realize that no one is trying to force their religion on you? YOU are the only one belittling others and attacking their views! You give a compelling argument that religion at least serves as a social sanction on appropriate behavior, which you seem to have trouble displaying.</p>

<p>Religion serves a multitude of function to the majority of the earth. To some, praying to God (or gods, or even the devil) about college (or crops, or an upcoming war) helps them to cope with the uncertainty. Religion also provides a framework for people to turn to when encountering troubling problems such as why a parent died or why there is sickness and a framework to understand the world and their place in it. On a macro level, religion sets up moral guidelines that create order. Religion creates group solidarity and cohesiveness among peoples. In addition, religion predates government as the primary form of social control. Religion is what created social order, changed beast to man, and over came human nature. </p>

<p>I'm not saying that an atheist can't be a law abiding citizen, but religion is what created "law abiding". It is only through quasi-religious sanctions on behavior that we developed a concept of "wright and wrong". The same concepts of "wright and wrong" (no killing, no stealing ect) are a cultural universal with relativly little variation, so is religion. Coincidence? NO!</p>

<p>Also your statement that ""GOD" is certainly a foolish idea. It is the biggest mistake of our times." is ridiculous. God is not of our times. The concept of a higher power is older than any other facet of humanity.</p>

<p>Take an anthropology class.</p>

108

<p>I wonder what POIH did to offend people now...</p>

109

<p>Cvjn, was your post sarcastic?</p>

<p>I think it was because you're from University of Michigan, and I read her posts belittling the "Public Ivy".</p>

110

<p>Cvjn: I'm also baffled why??</p>

<p>I never intended to offend anyone.</p>

<p>my 2cents were:</p>

<p>GOD is someone's mind creation. Since this creation of a known/unknown power have brain washed so many people than that doesn't make it right.</p>

<p>So just saying that the idea to begin with is a foolish idea means offending people.</p>

<p>It is a concept so if it is foolish in my view than be it why anyone have anything against me. I was giving example on why the idea is foolish.</p>

<p>They need to give example why it is not. But no one give any concrete example but will just say you are wrong.</p>

<p>That doesn't cut. In a liberal world the idea is to discuss.</p>

111

<p>davnasca: Why do you have to proclaim that you believe in separation of church and state?</p>

<p>That shows you don't believe that it is a good idea to begin with.</p>

<p>I just put one more step to say that I believe in retaining idea of church to one's head and separate it socially altogether. </p>

<p>What ever thought you have about the known/unknown power keep it to yourself. Then see how the world will become a wonderful place to live.</p>

112

<p>
[quote]

GOD is someone's mind creation. Since this creation of a known/unknown power have brain washed so many people than that doesn't make it right.</p>

<p>So just saying that the idea to begin with is a foolish idea means offending people.</p>

<p>It is a concept so if it is foolish in my view than be it why anyone have anything against me. I was giving example on why the idea is foolish.</p>

<p>They need to give example why it is not. But no one give any concrete example but will just say you are wrong.</p>

<p>That doesn't cut. In a liberal world the idea is to discuss.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>The words that you use seem to want to offend people. Brain washed? Even in a discussion, it's a harsh way of saying something. The fact is that, no one can prove that there is a God, but you can not prove otherwise. Why keep religion to ourselves when what most people use religion to do, is to help others around them as well as themselves? No one is forcing their views upon you, so why just say, keep religion in your mind, and only in your mind? </p>

<p>
[quote]

I'm not asking you to prove the existence of "Vivekanada's' but the existence of the GOD.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Then I ask you to disprove the existence of God. Or, prove that God does not exist. </p>

<p>
[quote]

There are lots of people in US those believe in Witches/Ghost or Draclua and believe it as a religion.</p>

<p>What will you say about that? Will you now tell me that these are correct to because if GOD exists than SATAN exists too

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Then let them believe in Witches/Ghosts, or whatever they want. As long as it has no effect on me, I don't care what the person next door believes. </p>

<p>And just another thing, just because if God exists, and if Satan exists as well, it's not necessary for Satan to appear in the form of Witches/Ghosts, ect.</p>

<p>And my original comment about wondering if you were offending people... yeah, it was intended to be a bit sarcastic.</p>

113

<p>Religion need to be kept indoor and to one's self.
I help people and do community service at Sacred Heart centers. But that doesn't mean that I need to believe in GOD.</p>

<p>If there is a condition to help people only if they agree on the concept of GOD then it is not a good idea.</p>

<p>In present world the only use of the religion is to promote hatered and differences among the fellow human being.</p>

<p>Look at the Middle East all the problem stem from the religion.</p>

<p>Look at the parts of the world, you will find the regions that are more absorbed in religion are more backward, arthodox, superstitious.</p>

<p>More examples and I 'll provide concrete examples too.</p>

114

<p>"The words that you use seem to want to offend people. Brain washed? Even in a discussion, it's a harsh way of saying something. "</p>

<p>Don't you think people who are fighting on the name of GOD anywhere on this planet are actually brain washed by some small group of people's for their own agendas.</p>

115

<p>
[quote]
Religion need to be kept indoor and to one's self.
I help people and do community service at Sacred Heart centers. But that doesn't mean that I need to believe in GOD.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>eh, I'm not sure I can argue this, because it's your belief.

[quote]

If there is a condition to help people only if they agree on the concept of GOD then it is not a good idea.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>And who does that? I mean, I go to church once in awhile, and I'm not religious. I've talked to Priests from many different religions about my problems, and they have answers that were helpful and relevant. My best friend is religious, and she's helped me through more times than I can count. I'm not religious though. So, I'm not sure where you even get this idea.</p>

<p>
[quote]
In present world the only use of the religion is to promote hatered and differences among the fellow human being.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>No, that's just false. Mission groups to different parts of the world? Just because you don't hear about it on the nightly news, doesn't mean it's not happening. We had a group of Mormons go to other areas of the world to help, and yeah, they try and promote their religion, but they don't refuse to help because some people don't embrace it. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Look at the Middle East all the problem stem from the religion.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This might just be the dumbest thing I've ever heard from you. Not only are these people extremist in their religion, let's judge ALL religion on their actions. Hey, why don't we just compare college admissions on those exceptions? Because you know, I've heard that a 1900 could get you into Harvard... /sarcastic</p>

<p>
[quote]
Look at the parts of the world, you will find the regions that are more absorbed in religion are more backward, arthodox, superstitious.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>What? I take back my previous statement. This just might be the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say. </p>

<p>
[quote]
According to a Gallup opinion survey, nearly all Americans, 98% of them, do[Believe in God] - Information is from <a href="http://www.lifeintheusa.com/religion/index.html%5B/url%5D%5B/quote%5D"&gt;http://www.lifeintheusa.com/religion/index.html

[/quote]
</a></p>

<p>Are you going to argue that America is, and I quote "more backward, arthodox, superstitious" nations in the world?</p>

116

<p>"GOD is someone's mind creation. Since this creation of a known/unknown power have brain washed so many people than that doesn't make it right."</p>

<p>God is the creation of society not anyones mind.</p>

<p>"What ever thought you have about the known/unknown power keep it to yourself. Then see how the world will become a wonderful place to live."</p>

<p>Obey your own advice! I don't spout off my religion, why do you brandish you lack there of?</p>

<p>No one can prove that God exists. You'll just have to accept the fact that the majority of the world believes in a supernatural power. Sorry.</p>

117

<p>
[quote]

Don't you think people who are fighting on the name of GOD anywhere on this planet are actually brain washed by some small group of people's for their own agendas.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That was more a comment about your method of argument than anything, but hey, you're better at misreading things than I am.</p>

118

<p>Ok if 98% of the people in US believe in some form of GOD than it certainly seem that I'm in tiniest minority.</p>

<p>But still I didn't bring this discussion on board. </p>

<p>I didn't come after you to change your mind. I was just voicing my opinion.</p>

<p>Majority is not always right and the basic idea I was trying to convey that :</p>

<p>Since each person idea of GOD is different than other then the concept of GOD is just an idea and that without any proof.</p>

<p>So why not keep the idea to yourself and let everyone live the way they want.
Why do you need to convince people to believe in your idea of GOD?</p>

<p>This preaching of your idea of GOD to others cause tensions and then make it conflicts which cause wars destruction, death, misery.</p>

119

<p>"God is the creation of society not anyones mind."</p>

<p>Societies don't create ideas, it can only promote. Ideas have to originates in one single human mind. Yes, it need to be promoted by others to get accepted.</p>

<p>Idea of GOD in any religious form generally get promoted after the death of the originator.</p>

120

<p>
[quote]
Ok if 98% of the people in US believe in some form of GOD than it certainly seem that I'm in tiniest minority.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Holy crap, how could you possibly misread why I posted that stat. Maybe it was cause you made a comment that groups of people that believe in God tend to be backwards. No, it can't be that I answered your question, and proved you wrong... </p>

<p>
[quote]
But still I didn't bring this discussion on board.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That's like a little kid saying that someone else started it, you're in this now, and that's what counts. </p>

<p>
[quote]
I didn't come after you to change your mind. I was just voicing my opinion.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I just hope you never have a job that makes you convince others cause you don't seem to be that good of it. </p>

<p>
[quote]
Majority is not always right and the basic idea I was trying to convey that :</p>

<p>Since each person idea of GOD is different than other then the concept of GOD is just an idea and that without any proof.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You also are pretty bad at getting your ideas across. Your last post does not convey that, and more attacks religion than anything else. </p>

<p>
[quote]
So why not keep the idea to yourself and let everyone live the way they want.
Why do you need to convince people to believe in your idea of GOD?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I'm not. I'm pointing out weakpoints in your arguments. Did I ever preach an idea of God? No, I'm pointing out where you are wrong. </p>

<p>
[quote]
This preaching of your idea of GOD to others cause tensions and then make it conflicts which cause wars destruction, death, misery.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>And once again, you choose to ignore the other side of story, you know, the part where religion actually is useful in the world. This isn't where we are arguing if drugs, rape, or murder is right or wrong; when it almost always is one sided. You are arguing religion, where there is good and bad like every little thing in this world, and you are entirely ignoring the good side of it and trying to bring the bad.</p>

<p>You are not voicing your opinion, you're offending others. I'm not even religious, and I find your arguments offensive. You ignore facts, and ignore half the things I say. I bring up every statement that you type, and then prove you wrong, with either examples, or personal experience. While examples you can say are falsified, and you can say that my personal experience are lies that I made up on a Sunday night, people that read this know for a fact that the things I say aren't made up. </p>

<p>Seriously, you want to argue something? Get your facts straight first before "voicing" your opinions. (aka misreading and twisting other people's words)</p>