A serious question for those who do not believe in God

[jamesblonde]

Originally Posted by Kellyk

I love you, man

Back atcha babe

[Sue]

[quote=jamesblonde;1106558]It's funny because I don't think that I had ever met someone that didn't believe.

Then I met Kevin.

Then I found this board. QUOTE]

Quite the crowd, eh?

[taotoon]

For me faith is so much more then a reliance upon some mystical diety. It is faith in my ability to overcome and create my own path. It is knowing that I am the best person I can be as often as I can be that person. For me, to excuse my own strengths and my own triumphs to another power shows a lack of respect and a lack of faith in myself. Meditation is something that I turn to that allows me to see other possiblities and my instict is something I rely heavily on. One could say it is proof of divinity but I belive that it is proof that as a living creature, I, and I alone, have power over my destiny and my fate.


Being the little heathen I am, I believe in reincarnation and karma. I belive that there is a greater power in this world but it is not some all poweful being who cares, let alone controls, humanity. The best way to think of it is there is a collective mindset in the universe that a person can tap into if they have the personal strength and the willingness to be open to unexplainable thing.

Random question - Do athiest believe in ghosts?

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by lolabella

Okay..so maybe he did. But how do I know that? If I’ve been open to the idea that he exists, then why isn’t he telling me that he is there…that he is helping me? When faced with personal strife, I can only examine what is going on in my head telling me that I can get through this, I can do this. It’s my own voice I’m hearing or that of a family member or friend standing in front of me. If it were God’s voice, wouldn’t I know? Wouldn’t God want me to know?

Well, I do know that God speaks to us in many ways, through our spirit (our throughts), other people, His word (the Bible) and through circumstances. Part of it is just trusting that since you "asked", He will answer. His word says He will. He has probably been talking to you all along, you just don't recognize it.

[Kellyk]

Originally Posted by taotoon

For me, to excuse my own strengths and my own triumphs to another power shows a lack of respect and a lack of faith in myself. Meditation is something that I turn to that allows me to see other possiblities and my instict is something I rely heavily on. One could say it is proof of divinity but I belive that it is proof that as a living creature, I, and I alone, have power over my destiny and my fate.
The best way to think of it is there is a collective mindset in the universe that a person can tap into if they have the personal strength and the willingness to be open to unexplainable thing.

That's kinda what I was trying to say...you just said it more poetically.

[SunKneeMarie]

Originally Posted by lolabella

Okay..so maybe he did. But how do I know that? If I’ve been open to the idea that he exists, then why isn’t he telling me that he is there…that he is helping me? When faced with personal strife, I can only examine what is going on in my head telling me that I can get through this, I can do this. It’s my own voice I’m hearing or that of a family member or friend standing in front of me. If it were God’s voice, wouldn’t I know? Wouldn’t God want me to know?

You sound like me sometimes. Where's the big sign? Where's the reassurance? I read this story the other day and it made me laugh because it reminded me of just that idea that you're talking about, albeit a little extreme:

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The story is told of a devout man who once lived by a creek up in the mountains. After many days of rain the creek began to escape its bounds.


Before long the water was up to the front porch step. One of his neighbors came by in a boat and offered to take him to safety. "No thanks," he said. "I have prayed and asked The Lord to save me and He will answer my prayer". So the neighbor continued on.


A few hours later and the water had risen high enough that the man had to climb upon the porch roof. In keeping with the custom of the area, a neighbor came with his boat and offered to take the man to safety. Same reply, "No thanks, I have asked The Lord to save me and He will answer my prayer".


By dark the water was so high the man had to climb to the peak of his roof to stay out of the water. Since the water had become too dangerous for the neighbor's boats, the local Rescue Squad came in a helicopter and offered to take the man to safety. Again, "No thanks, I have asked The Lord to save me and He will answer my prayer".


The water continued to rise and the man ended up drowning. As he stood before The Lord, he said, "Lord I asked you to save me and you said you would, but you did not. Why?"


God responded, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you want??".

[Anna Tortuga]

I try to cling on to the memories I have of this person, kinda keeps them alive in a way, and even if I am not a believer, i like to believe that they are someplace nice. Like with the rainbow bridge poem. I personally think that anyone has the right to do whatever may help him thru the bad times.

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

You sound like me sometimes. Where's the big sign? Where's the reassurance? I read this story the other day and it made me laugh because it reminded me of just that idea that you're talking about, albeit a little extreme:

-------------------------------------------------
The story is told of a devout man who once lived by a creek up in the mountains. After many days of rain the creek began to escape its bounds.


Before long the water was up to the front porch step. One of his neighbors came by in a boat and offered to take him to safety. "No thanks," he said. "I have prayed and asked The Lord to save me and He will answer my prayer". So the neighbor continued on.


A few hours later and the water had risen high enough that the man had to climb upon the porch roof. In keeping with the custom of the area, a neighbor came with his boat and offered to take the man to safety. Same reply, "No thanks, I have asked The Lord to save me and He will answer my prayer".


By dark the water was so high the man had to climb to the peak of his roof to stay out of the water. Since the water had become too dangerous for the neighbor's boats, the local Rescue Squad came in a helicopter and offered to take the man to safety. Again, "No thanks, I have asked The Lord to save me and He will answer my prayer".


The water continued to rise and the man ended up drowning. As he stood before The Lord, he said, "Lord I asked you to save me and you said you would, but you did not. Why?"


God responded, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you want??".

Exactly... that is pretty much what I said in post #34.

[jamesblonde]

Char, I love that story. Always makes me laugh

[SunKneeMarie]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Exactly... that is pretty much what I said in post #34.

I think I was typing then

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Well, I do know that God speaks to us in many ways, through our spirit (our throughts), other people, His word (the Bible) and through circumstances. Part of it is just trusting that since you "asked", He will answer. His word says He will. He has probably been talking to you all along, you just don't recognize it.

Which begs the question, again...wouldn’t God want me to recognize it? Thinking that maybe I just wasn't 'getting it' from my own church, I decided to go to a non denominational church with a friend more than a few times. I've seen people lift up their hands, cry, and sing out and I'm left wondering why they are 'getting it' and I was not.

And as far as trust goes, I trust myself and I trust those that care about me because that's what is tangible to me.

[JudyBluEyes]

Originally Posted by Mercy

I know that some say, they are sending good thoughts, etc., but what does that exactly mean? I mean what power does a good thought have, etc?

Sending a "good thought" is to show empathy. It lets you know that there are others out here who understand what you are going through. Some who have gone through the same or similiar crisis, or some who haven't yet they can feel your pain. It also is to give support and comfort. And to let you know that there are people in your world who care about you. What good does this do? Imagine a world without "good thoughts," without empathy.

[jamesblonde]

Originally Posted by JudyBluEyes

Sending a "good thought" is to show empathy. It lets you know that there are others out here who understand what you are going through. Some who have gone through the same or similiar crisis, or some who haven't yet they can feel your pain. It also is to give support and comfort. And to let you know that there are people in your world who care about you. What good does this do? Imagine a world without "good thoughts," without empathy.

Well put Judy.

Good thoughts or prayer, whichever you find comfort in

[Buggirl]

Originally Posted by JudyBluEyes

Sending a "good thought" is to show empathy. It lets you know that there are others out here who understand what you are going through. Some who have gone through the same or similiar crisis, or some who haven't yet they can feel your pain. It also is to give support and comfort. And to let you know that there are people in your world who care about you. What good does this do? Imagine a world without "good thoughts," without empathy.

Judy, you said that so much better than I could Exactly my thoughts.

[lolabella]

Originally Posted by SunKneeMarie

You sound like me sometimes. Where's the big sign? Where's the reassurance? I read this story the other day and it made me laugh because it reminded me of just that idea that you're talking about, albeit a little extreme:

-------------------------------------------------

God responded, "I sent you two boats and a helicopter, what more did you want??".

Great story, Char!! I had not heard that before!!