Reply #69: Why intercessionary prayer?

[Darwins Finch]

Of all the religious observances, intercessionary prayer is one of the most primitive I've seen. It requires a god that one must grovel before in order to achieve a personal boon, whether that boon be alleviation of a medical condition or a good run at the slot machine.

I understand the human need to turn to wards some greater power that will help them out when they feel helpless themselves. And I understand that a lot of religious people view god as just a bigger and more powerful human, who shares their concerns and way of reasoning. But frankly, if god is omnipotent and omniscient, and still won't lift a finger to help you unless you beseech him with all your heart (and often not even then), then he's nothing worthy of worship. He's just an egomaniac who creates your suffering so that he can *maybe* spare you from it later.

And this is being people call "absolute love"? I think not.