>
>Here's one from my own life. Not an answered prayer, per se, but interesting nonetheless. When I was first a christian, back around 1970-71 it was the "in thing' or 'good' (read: spiritual) to be poor. I'd disagree with that now (neiher poverty or great wealth bestow 'goodness or take it away). Anyway, I was dumpster diving behind a five & dime store and the gal was passing me boxes to place in another dumpster. As I was about to throw a box I heard a voice that said, "Open up the box." Startled, I asked the gal if she heard what I heard. She said she did not. So, I opened the box. Inside was a crocheted cross.
>
>Now, please explain how my brain knew that something was in that box, which box and at exactly the right moment (as I was passing the specific box - one of many) to cause me to hear that voice.

How about this? You noticed the box, but initially dismissed it and later on thought to open it. It was yourself that suggested you open it. It was mere coincidence that it contained something significant to you.

You were engaged in dumpster diving, not something I think a clear thinking person would do, besides who knows what noxious fumes were doing to you.

My grandmother always told me "Cards and dice is the devil's advice. Throw them in the fire is god's desire." So when I went to Las Vegas, though she was dead, I actually felt her hand on my shoulder, smelled her perfume and heard her speak to me. Haven't returned to Vegas or gone to a casino since. Is this proof of afterlife or ghosts? No. It's only proof that brains are more mysterious than we expect.

If faith is belief without thought, then I caution you Matthew 22:37. Turning off your mind is not allowed. To bad more people don't believe that.

I watched the PBS program about the Intelligent Design vs Evolution issue. Intelligent Design tried to show irreducibly complex things prove there had to be a designer. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreducible_complexity

However, they didn't consider Heisenberg. We're in the system being observed. Maybe the entire system is as irreducibly complex as the designer wanted it to be. Life that did not evolve would stagnate. How much fun would there be in that?

Do chimps believe in religion? We share over 99% of their DNA. Is religion real since it comes from so small a variation? If natural selection is making several attempts to improve then religion is an attempt at improving our lives. There is no proving or disproving religion. Just recognize that there are those who would kill for making anti-religious statments and watch what you say and to whom. :)