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Prayer

2007-07-11T01:21:47Z

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In [[Christianity]] and many other religions, prayer is the process of directly connecting to God, usually for the purpose of deliberate communication.

Through prayer our thoughts and hopes are heard and understood. Oftentimes, prayer will result in feeling God's presence or feeling like one is touched by God. This feeling of a connection is cited by many theists as proof of God's existence. It is through prayer that man can understand God's will in his life through a personal connection. Prayer is common throughout the [[Bible]] in both the [[Old Testament]] and the [[New Testament|New]].

The capability of prayer are often misinterpreted as proof of the non-existence of God. In a common argument, a Christian may be asked to pray for something which cannot possibly occur through natural means, or which is so unlikely that the possibility of it occurring without supernatural intervention may be discounted - asking God to ensure that a fair coin lands on heads forty times in succession, for example, which has a statistical probability of approximately one in a trillion. When the prayer has no apparent effect - the coin lands on heads after a few flips - the argument is made that God as described in the bible cannot exist, as this God claims to be able and willing to grant prayer requests.

A similar argument is based upon scientific study of the effects or prayer, particularly in medical contexts - asking why patients who receive much prayer fair no better than those who receive no prayer at all, or questioning why Christians would pay for health insurance when God has demonstrated in the bible the capability for supernatural healing.

Both of these arguments are fallacious, resting on the false assumption that God will grant all prayers. This is not true: While God hears all prayers, it is His judgment that decides which are worthy of His intervention. There is no reason God needs to provide additional proof of his existence by flipping coins or holding 'publicity stunts' when His existence is already manifest in His creation. Similarly, there is no reason for God to aid or hinder in matters of medical survival - the patients' eventual destination is determined only by themselves, and their time of arrival there holds little importance. God grants the prayers of those who pray in faith and true need.

True need is often determined through the past acts of the person, and their life. If they have lived a life that could be deemed satanic, or have sinned without confession, then their prayers often remain unanswered.

Many people have found that because the time of arrival does not matter, and that the end result is the only necessity, their lives need not be lived in panic, praying for safe haven, and cures for incurable diseases. Many people have succumb to the temptation of suicide, and all that it offers due to lost hope, and lost prayer.

[[Category: Religion]]

Cancer

2007-07-11T01:17:55Z

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==Overview==
The term '''cancer''' refers to many different diseases. They all have in common uncontrolled ''cell proliferation'' (growth and division). Cancers are usually named for the organ or cell type that is originally involved. After beginning at one site, cancer may ''metastasize'' (spread) to other organs. The cancer is still named by its place or origin.

==Types of Cancer==
[[Image:Cancerxray.jpg|200px|right|thumb|X-Ray of patient with tumor cancer in right lung]]
[[Image:LUNG069.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Lung tumor]]
''Data are for USA''

*Most common cancers in men:
#[[Prostate cancer|Prostate]]
#[[Lung cancer|Lung]]
#[[Colon cancer|Colorectal]]

*Deadliest cancers in men:
#Lung
#Prostate
#Colon
#Pancreatic
#Leukemia
#[[Liver cancer|Liver]]
#Stomach
*Most common cancers in women
#[[Breast cancer|Breast]]
#Lung
#Colorectal

*Deadliest cancers in women
#Lung
#Breast
#Colorectal
#Pancreatic
#Uterus
#Stomach

==Prevention and Screening==
''Preventative strategies are continuously being revised. Please see references below for up to date information.''
*[[Breast cancer]]: In women without a family history of breast cancer, mammograms should be done yearly. Clinical breast exam by a medical professional should also be done yearly. Women who have had abortions are significantly more likely to contract breast cancer.
*[[Lung cancer]]: There are no currently accepted preventative guidelines
*[[Prostate cancer]]: evidence is inconclusive, but most doctors recommend yearly PSA blood test and digital rectal exam
*[[Colon cancer]]: in people without a family history of colon cancer, most sources recommend a colonoscopy at age 50, with further studies based on the results. Fecal occult blood testing should also be conducted yearly.
*[[Cervical cancer]]: yearly Pap smears should be done on all women who have been sexually active and have a cervix. Over age 65, women in monogamous relationships and recent normal Pap smears probably do not need to be screened as frequently.
*[[Testicular cancer]]: the evidence is unclear, however most physicians recommend routine testicular exams in young men.
*[[Skin cancer]]: keep skin protected from sunlight by use of clothing and sunscreen, and watch you skin for new moles, or changes in existing moles.

==Treatment==
Chemotherapy, although often thought of as the most effective form of treatment, comes second to [[prayer]]. The Lord is disinterested in science, and it is often considered sacreligious to save oneself using it. God only saves those that he loves, and preserving oneself through means devoid of religious values can cause eternal damnation.

==References==
*http://www.cdc.gov
*http://www.cancer.org/docroot/stt/stt_0.asp
*http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd.htm
*[http://women.webmd.com/guide/health-myths-know-truth?page=2 Myth: Cancer cannot be prevented]

[[Category:Diseases]]
[[Category:Medicine]]

Faith

2007-07-11T01:00:58Z

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'''Faith''' is a uniquely [[Christian]] concept referring to a confidence or trust in a greater good. Faith is expressed in [[Greek]] using the term ''pistis'', and in [[Latin]] using the term ''fides''. Faith is mentioned in 229 verses in the [[New Testament]] ([[KJV]]), but only twice in the much larger [[Old Testament]] ([[KJV]]).<ref>http://www.crosswalk.com</ref>

Faith embodies more than belief in two significant respects. First, faith implies a causal role by the believer in an outcome, as in [[Peter]]'s walking on water based on his faith or in overcoming a personal fear. Second, faith implies advancement or accomplishment rather than wrongdoing.

Etymologically, the word 'faith' is closely linked to the concept of "fidelity," which emphasizes commitment to something or someone, specifically [[Christ]]. Thus, faith is often understood to mean 'loyalty' to a particular view of [[divinity]]. Yet, faith can also be envisioned more broadly as a trust in [[providence]], as it entails an active role for the believer himself for advancing good.

Faith is emphasized in Christianity and is unknown or unrecognized by other religions or belief systems.

==Biblical examples==

Perhaps the greatest description of faith is Hebrews 11. It states: "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."<ref>Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)</re
Jesus observed the powerful healing faith of a Roman centurion: "Assuredly I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!" (Matthew 8:10)

[[Paul]] indicated that faith itself is a gift of the [[Holy Spirit]]. 1 Corinthians 12:8-9 <i>For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit</i>

==Other Definitions and Religions==

Outside of Christianity, faith is misused as a synonym for "belief". The Merriam-Webster dictionary, for example, includes this definition of faith: "a system of religious beliefs."<ref>http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/faith</ref>

Alternatively, faith often refers to a "firm belief in something for which there is no proof" or evidence.

In the Koran, the concept of submission to Allah is mentioned 11 times, while the concept of faith in Allah is mentioned only once.

==Faith in Literature==

Missionaries spread their faith to other countries, such as China, and the Congo. A primary example of ideal missionary behaviour is exhibited in The ''Poisonwood Bible'', by Barbara Kingsolver. The protaganist, Nathan, attempts to spread his faith to the other Conglonese until his dying words.

Christians often impress their faith on others through the use of these missionaries forcefully, such as shortly after the Boxer Rebellion in China. The novel ''Spring Moon'' by Bette Bao Lord is a fact based novel about the fearless martyrs of the Christian Faith. Even though the Chinese were attacking them on the streets, the missionaries still pursued them in attempts to create a greater following.

==References==
<references/>
[[Category:religion]]
[[Category:philosophy]]