Lightning hits preacher after call to God (BBC) (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3044178.stm)
A congregation in the United States was left stunned when lightning struck a church moments after a visiting preacher asked God for a sign.

Church members in the town of Forest in the state of Ohio said the preacher had been emphasising the importance of penance when, in the course of his prayers, he called on the heavens above.

The lightning struck the steeple, then hit the preacher himself when it travelled through electrical wiring to his microphone.

Local authorities said he was not injured.

"It was awesome, just awesome," said church member Ronnie Cheney, who was among the congregation when the strike hit, told the Findlay Courier newspaper.

"You could hear the storm building outside... he just kept asking God what else he needed to say.

"He was asking for a sign and he got one."

Afterwards services resumed, however churchgoers realised after 20 minutes that the building was on fire and evacuated . . . .Praise the Lord.

:m:,
Tiassa :cool:

I would better say "Pffff... unlucky guy!" :rolleyes:

In fact it depends on the way you see it : he could be said to be a lucky man if you believe that it was a sign or if you think "well, he is still alive!" ;)

of course it is a chance accident, for atheists.
its a sign to firm up the belief, for theists.

Agnostics have the chance to investigate further.

Pessimists will deny it as a hoax, and optimists will say "I TOLD YOU SO!".

Islamists will say that it was staged and that there is no heathen god - it was Allah playing with the infidels.

Buddists will shake their heads and say "lightning is Buddha nature".

Hilarious. I started laughing when I read this. Oh, yes there is a god.. thats why he would burn down his church.

Boy, penance usually consists of a few “Our Father”s and “Hail Mary”s, this guy must have done something really bad.

Be careful what you ask for…

~Raithere

My first thought was why this event is being reported by the British, I couldn’t find any further details to this in the US press. Curious, but then the British have a real and healthy penchant for laughing at the Church, Americans are nearly always far too serious about such things.

The local newspaper reference - http://www.thecourier.com/

So was this preacher being very clever or was he just stupid? Churches tend to be taller than surrounding buildings especially if they have towers or steeples. And I hope most people realize that lighting tends to find the nearest and highest places. Churches are prime targets and are hit far more often than other lower buildings. So it should come as no surprise when Churches are hit. But churches spend most of their time empty with services only active during a fraction of the time in any given week. Most lightning strikes will therefore occur when services are not in progress. So did this preacher remember that churches are hit by lightning frequently and notice there was a severe storm outside during his service and play the percentages and ask for a sign? The fact that it occurred and he was injured indicates he was probably more surprised than anyone else.

So was this just a coincidence or was there a divine answer to a mortal request? A divine event would have been more believable if there hadn’t been a convenient storm in progress and the lighting came straight out of a clear blue sky. But preachers rarely call for signs unless they have previously contrived some answer, and I think the bible warns against testing the lord. They are also painfully aware that if no sign is forthcoming then they have to deal with the awkward and embarrassing silence while waiting for God to deliver and doesn’t.

But the article doesn’t give us the exact words that were used which is very suspicious. Was there a clear and deliberate call “oh lord give us a sign”, or was it something far less direct like, ‘and the lord will show us the way as always’? And the article says the lighting struck moments after the call, so was everyone waiting in silence during those moments while God gave the request some considered thought, or did the preacher continue preaching and was rudely interrupted when the lightning hit?

It looks like the article seriously failed in terms of objective journalism and is playing to the gullible by implying a clear call and answer. It would also be nice to know how often that church has been hit before, the real severity of the storm and how many other buildings and tress etc were hit at that time, and whether the preacher did take a gamble or not.

But here are some other articles I found that you might find of interest concerning churches and lightning.

http://www.halfbakery.com/idea/Concealed_20Lightning_20Rods_20for_20Churches


How can one claim to worship God whilst attempting to deter Her (presumably justified) wrath? If lightning rods are to be used, the only way to avoid hypocrisy is to connect them to each member of the congregation. Sort of a Dodgem-car-pew effect, without the insulation.Nice article on Franklin's Unholy Lightning Rod -
http://www.evolvefish.com/freewrite/franklgt.htm


The Republic of Venice had stored in the vaults of this church several thousand pounds of gunpowder. In 1767, 17 years after Franklin's discovery, no rod having been placed on the church, it was struck by lightning and the gunpowder exploded. One-sixth of the city was destroyed and over 3,000 lives were lost because the priests refused to install the "heretical rod."A Christian message to ring your bells to prevent lightning? http://www.justchristians.com/abundantLife/052003/3.html


The Farmer's Almanac tells that on April 15, 1718 there was a terrible thunderstorm in St. Pal de Leon in Brittany. Eighteen of the twenty-four churches there began ringing their bells, because everyone knew that ringing bells kept away lightning. All the churches with ringing bells were struck by lightning. The six whose bells were not ringing were not struck. The superstition that ringing a bell could keep you from being struck by lightning came to an abrupt end.

My first thought was why this event is being reported by the British, I couldn’t find any further details to this in the US press. Curious, but then the British have a real and healthy penchant for laughing at the Church, Americans are nearly always far too serious about such things.I didn't pause on the why British issue; I just fell over laughing.

Did it occur to nobody to check the building for damage before the fire made itself known to to the bedazzled congregation?

I suppose there is something else to say, but "Holy f***ing s***!" still involves the notion of holy something ....

But this story reads like a parody, a creative work. "It was awesome, just awesome!"

I tend to think that the Beeb has generally admitted that American Christianity is a fertile ground for "human interest" jokes. Every time American religion makes the Beeb as a headline, it's some ridiculous chapter from the modern American experience. Pedophiles, televangelists, lightning strikes, odd stains shaped like the Virgin ....

Maybe I should have put pedophiles and odd stains next to each other in the list; that would have had some (minor, vague) humorous effect.

:m:,
Tiassa :cool:

Tiassa,


I tend to think that the Beeb has generally admitted that American Christianity is a fertile ground for "human interest" jokes. Every time American religion makes the Beeb as a headline, it's some ridiculous chapter from the modern American experience. Pedophiles, televangelists, lightning strikes, odd stains shaped like the Virgin ....I have to admit that during my first visits to the US in the mid 80s I discovered televangelism and initially mistook it for a comedy. There is no equivalent on British TV, it just couldn’t survive.

That kind of makes it a Monty Python institution, doesn't it? I mean, how many years before the US gets to a genuine Monty Python moment? Henson was the closest we had, but that's a different class entirely.

:m:,
Tiassa :cool:

My first thought was why this event is being reported by the British, I couldn’t find any further details to this in the US press. Curious, but then the British have a real and healthy penchant for laughing at the Church, Americans are nearly always far too serious about such things.

Too right,we also think americans are all nuts.

Eeney a adomi a. Een i a es requium. *thunk*

Originally posted by Crunchy Cat
Eeney a adomi a. Een i a es requium. *thunk*

Well i might agree with that if i knew what the hell you were saying.

Watch Montey Python's 'Holy Grail'. You will then understand
my child.

To funny!!
caveman --to--> modern Christian.
Not much has changed
:)

Originally posted by Crunchy Cat
Watch Montey Python's 'Holy Grai'. You will then understand
my child.

Oh right i see now,classic,theres that good bit with the guy getting his arms and legs chopped off and still wants to fight.

And the knights of the ni,ni ni ni!

We are no longer the knights who say 'ni!'. We are now the
knights who say 'icky icky potang thpppppt!'.

Its funny to read the atheists' responses. Conveniently side-stepping the issue and dwelling on their sense of humor. Go on live with your own belief system. When you get a comfortable evidence, i am sure this would suddenly become more important then, bounce on theists as if they are morons. Hypocrites.:p

Originally posted by everneo
Its funny to read the atheists' responses. Conveniently side-stepping the issue and dwelling on their sense of humor. Go on live with your own belief system. When you get a comfortable evidence, i am sure this would suddenly become more important then, bounce on theists as if they are morons. Hypocrites.:p

whatever :rolleyes:

Originally posted by everneo
Its funny to read the atheists' responses. Conveniently side-stepping the issue and dwelling on their sense of humor. Go on live with your own belief system. When you get a comfortable evidence, i am sure this would suddenly become more important then, bounce on theists as if they are morons. Hypocrites.:p

Y'know, you could say the same exact thing, taking off the 'a' in "atheist" and make it a lot truer.

Oooooh, doesn't the blinding light of truth just HURT? Lol, loser.

Originally posted by Zero
Y'know, you could say the same exact thing, taking off the 'a' in "atheist" and make it a lot truer.
good, you recognize your regular rhetoric.


doesn't the blinding light of truth just HURT?
Where you got this one.? This line would be more appropriate in my previous post.

At least theists admit that they don't have all the answers, Zero, and must rely on faith and pretense.

This, of course, as opposed to the ignorant atheists who choose to lie in a desperate effort to hide their stupidity and irrational fear.

Why do you worry so much about something that doesn't exist, Zero, that all you can do is be a hater?

I mean come on, by the time you get down to rubber-glue, Zero, I think the neo-Nazis have a couple of IQ points on you.

Look at you, Zero. All you seem to want to do is hate. My advice is to look in a mirror and ask yourself why you hate what you hate so much, and then stop to think if what you hate is really what you think you hate, and not the image you see in the mirror.

I didn't realize that your user name referred both to your human compassion as well as your intelligence quotient and potential contribution to the world.


Dude, of course religions are problematic. But as long as you keep wanking around like Bozo the Hater, that's all you're going to be worth. And frankly, slit wrists are worth more.

Take responsibility for your own self, Zero. Make a contribution to the world for a change.

:m:,
Tiassa :cool:

Everneo,


Its funny to read the atheists' responses. Conveniently side-stepping the issue and dwelling on their sense of humor. Go on live with your own belief system.I spent some time looking further at this, but without more details it is very difficult to see this as any more than hilarious.

The idea of an obedient or angry god throwing thunderbolts is straight out of ancient mythology and superstition. I think you need to lightning up a bit. :D

Now if you can show that this freak event is reproducible, e.g. by showing other preachers calling on god and receiving similar bolts then perhaps you could make a case for cause and effect, but I couldn’t find anything on the web remotely like that.

I spent some time looking further at this, but without more details it is very difficult to see this as any more than hilarious. This entire topic was intended for comic relief. I guess I should have put a serious disclaimer under my sarcasm.

(However, I'm aware of the trend to which Everneo refers; it just seems like a point for a different discussion.)

:m:,
Tiassa :cool:

Originally Posted By evernut
Its funny to read the atheists' responses. Conveniently side-stepping the issue and dwelling on their sense of humor. Go on live with your own belief system. When you get a comfortable evidence, i am sure this would suddenly become more important then, bounce on theists as if they are morons. Hypocrites.

Whatchutalkinbout? The Atheists are embracing the issue. It's
pure comedy bud, and we're just taking the stage and goin' for
round 2. Out of curiosity, has anybody ever mistaken you for
an oversized pineapple?

Originally posted by Cris
The idea of an obedient or angry god throwing thunderbolts is straight out of ancient mythology and superstition. I think you need to lightning up a bit.
Everyone knows thounderbolts are not thrown out by an angry or obedient(?) God or mythological deities. The preacher was emphasizing penance and repeating what else to say more. And there comes this natural visitor with irony. Any faithful would take this as a messenger unless he gets precise explanation. For him its not required to believe a more elaborate message like few angels with wings appear and praising the God.

A reasonably faithful at that congregation would see the whole episode with amusment and wonder at God's typical way of opertaions.

Now if you can show that this freak event is reproducible, e.g. by showing other preachers calling on god and receiving similar bolts then perhaps you could make a case for cause and effect, but I couldn’t find anything on the web remotely like that.
Unless i have an obedient/oblidging God i can't think of it ; even Jesus could not dare to do that. Another thing is if i repeatedly test God to prove for the sake of unbelievers He might direct the lightnging on me rather than on the steeple. You expect too much from God. :D

Originally posted by Crunchedpussy
Out of curiosity, has anybody ever mistaken you for
an oversized pineapple?
Yes, You.

nawww. I actually thought you were Sir Syphilis of the Clap. I
was only expressing my concern that others might interpret you
as an oversized pineapple.

Originally posted by Crunchy Cat
Out of curiosity, has anybody ever mistaken you for
an oversized pineapple?

ROTFF

Originally posted by Crunchy Cat
nawww. I actually thought you were Sir Syphilis of the Clap. I
was only expressing my concern that others might interpret you
as an oversized pineapple.
Syphilis, Clap, Gonorrhea, pineapple... do i read a desperate GOD hating young fag with AIDS and ....

Come on guys let's drop the ad hominem attacks.

But... I just wanted to point out the result's of my little ink-blotch
experiment. Apparently the words:

"Oversized Pineapple"
"Syphilis"
"Clap"

equate to:

"a desperate GOD hating young fag with AIDS"

in the mind of at least one 'believing' individual. The article that
Tiassa posted shows a similar type of association. Preacher gets
an electric shock; therefore, it must be 'God'. I am willing to bet
if the preacher caught on fire and died, the event would have
been associated with the 'Devil'.

Originally posted by Crunchy Cat
But... I just wanted to point out the result's of my little ink-blotch
experiment.

:rolleyes:

Apparently the words:

"Oversized Pineapple"
"Syphilis"
"Clap"

equate to:

"a desperate GOD hating young fag with AIDS"

in the mind of at least one 'believing' individual.
amazing equation. i just shoved back your BS from where it came.
I didn't start the ad-hominem and started justifying with some bloke experiment.. go on kiddie..


The article that Tiassa posted shows a similar type of association. Preacher gets
an electric shock; therefore, it must be 'God'. I am willing to bet
if the preacher caught on fire and died, the event would have
been associated with the 'Devil'.
Linking your ad-hominem BS with the 'article Tiasssa posted' does not show your rational thinking. For your information if the preacher got electrocuted the faithfuls at that congregation would think something wrong with the preacher, not the work of Devil.

My point was not on the story. But the attitude of irrational atheists like you.

Just think. If it weren't for irrational atheists like me, this world
would be a mass of acceptance without proof. There would be
faith ridden religions all over the place claiming the fantastically
supernatural, all the while not being in any agreement with eacch
other. Oh wait... thats the way it is now. My bad.

-A good scientist always checks the sock drawr for Unicorns.