I wouldn't make that assumption... and I'm Christian. The irony is that money seldom makes people happy. It may give a temporary euphoria, but that leaves as quickly as the money does. In my family a very large windfall brought out the worst greed, the meanest actions, and the most hateful expressions we had ever seen. It was no blessing that is for sure. Just perhaps the windfall isn't the "something good" that she prayed for but rather a coincidence that occurred near the time of the prayer? The "something good" prayer may have previously been answered when the family realized the value of life after losing everything in the storm? I do understand that you are pointing out that the paper is drawing the conclusion that because the woman prayed she won the money. Many people, religous or not, seek to find a cause and effect for the things that happen in life. I don't think the intent was to imply that if you pray you'll get what you want. I just wanted to give you my thoughts on the subject.

hey Dona, that's an easy one. they can't leave people alone because they want to "save" us. from what i haven't a clue, but "save" us they must. you know why.......jaysus told them to!

You do as I do---I refuse to engage. No matter how hard somebody tries to bait me, I never bite. I will insist over and over that I hope they find happiness in the manner they've chosen to live their life, please grant me the same respect. It is the perfect response, the only real response you need, to that attitude that I am misguided or lost or "risking" my "eternal soul." And you know what. I really mean it! I LIVE by my priniciples! I really do want people to live however they chose! Something we really need in this country is for more people to figure out that how someone else lives does not have any effect on you! When I hear Christians say they are "in a battle for souls" I have to admit it makes my skin crawl. Why can't they just LEAVE PEOPLE ALONE!!!!!!

Oh, I am also hoping she gives me a name as well.

It's interesting that many people view atheists as either satan worshippers, or "disillusioned with events in their lives" and the role "god" played in it. I'm a hospice nurse, so I attend the deaths of many people. There's a lot of prayin' goin' on, and because I recognize that the family needs to hold on to whatever shred of reasoning behind their loss, I simply step out of the room while they're thanking "god" for how good he's been to them, and how wonderful he is for taking away the loved one's pain. That sh** just blows me away. I'm sometimes questioned by famiy members as to why I leave the room. I figure, they're already stressed enough without having to try to figure out why I don't believe as they do. I usually say, "I'm giving your family time alone." That by-and-large does it for most people, but on occasion, someone will question a bit deeper and I never lie. I simply say, "I'm not a Christian." Of course, that answer is NEVER good enough. I refuse to debate or defend my lack of religion with anyone; I have the right, just as they do, to believe in nothing. I refuse to engage; and people ultimately give up. Sucks to be them... I'm sure I can count on them praying for my lost soul... My best friend is as Christian as they come. She believes that though I don't believe in "god", I must be spiritually centered. Because I'm a decent, moral, loving, giving person, atheisism just doesn't compute with her. She has to believe that there is 'something' that makes me the person I am. She's right, there is something: ME, genes, history, life! We agree to disagree, and it causes no tension in our relationship, it's just a part of our friendship that simply is. As someone else said, or Atheism does not define us; it's simply a part of who we are. Some people have more energy to debate and discuss it, but ultimately, just as we don't try to change the Christians to Atheists, they have no right to try to save our souls and attempt to convince us of the inaccuracy of our thought processes. Jessica