A serious question for those who do not believe in God

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by Mercy

I do personally believe in a God that can heal, so I choose to pray to Him in time of need.

And are you absolutely convinced your god is better at healing than, say, doctors?

[Jacko]

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 said, Judy!

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by Mercy

He has probably been talking to you all along, you just don't recognize it.

And why would some people recognize a god's message and others not?

What if people actually recognise that the "talking" isn't from a god, just their own brain?

Or is it that people who haven't recognised the god's voice are somewhat lacking some special powers/type of perception?

[Daddy B]

Oh, by the way, Mark (a.k.a. Welshly Squirt, a.k.a. PlayadelSoul) please don't upset Mercy by saying the thread shouldn't have been started because it risks insulting people's beliefs/opinions: our esteemed fellow poster simply wants to know what we think about the subject of entrusting one's live to gods and, as far as I'm concerned I haven't detected any thinly veiled/strong/rude attempts at proselytising.

[playawannabe]

I, like Taotoon, believe in reincarnation and karma, the law of attraction, and the golden rule. In troubled times, I meditate and use relaxation techniques. I get a massage, listen to music. I rely on and reach out to family and friends as a sounding board and for support. I have a therapist/psychologist and I go every few months whether I think I need to or not - the sessions have been, and continue to be, an amazing experience for me. I am a pretty strong person - I am logical and practical and I think that helps me to keep my perspective a lot of the time. There are so many things that we just can't control, and learning to not obsess about these things and to focus on things that you CAN control is really helpful for me. I was raised in a christian home and brought up in the church, but like Vanessa, I just never really "felt" it - it just never worked for me. I had too many questions that couldn't be answered, too many doubts. I'm not a faith person, I need proof - "because it says so in the bible" has never been enough for me.

[Sue]

Originally Posted by playawannabe

I, like Taotoon, believe in reincarnation and karma, the law of attraction, and the golden rule. In troubled times, I meditate and use relaxation techniques. I get a massage, listen to music. I rely on and reach out to family and friends as a sounding board and for support. I have a therapist/psychologist and I go every few months whether I think I need to or not - the sessions have been, and continue to be, an amazing experience for me. I am a pretty strong person - I am logical and practical and I think that helps me to keep my perspective a lot of the time. There are so many things that we just can't control, and learning to not obsess about these things and to focus on things that you CAN control is really helpful for me. I was raised in a christian home and brought up in the church, but like Vanessa, I just never really "felt" it - it just never worked for me. I had too many questions that couldn't be answered, too many doubts. I'm not a faith person, I need proof :smile:

I was just telling myself when I was walking through downtown this afternoon, "Don't get angry about the things you can't control."

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by Daddy B

Oh, by the way, Mark (a.k.a. Welshly Squirt, a.k.a. PlayadelSoul) please don't upset Mercy by saying the thread shouldn't have been started because it risks insulting people's beliefs/opinions: our esteemed fellow poster simply wants to know what we think about the subject of entrusting one's live to gods and, as far as I'm concerned I haven't detected any thinly veiled/strong/rude attempts at proselytising.

I can't speak for anyone else, but I miss Mark's contributions to these threads, especially the political ones.

So's not to be off topic: I pray, occasionally. I was raised Catholic but do not go to church, nor could I ever align myself with much of the politics of organized religion. I do believe in some benevolent, perhaps un-namable, force of goodness in the world.

[Daddy B]

Originally Posted by melliedee

I can't speak for anyone else, but I miss Mark's contributions to these threads, especially the political ones.

So do I.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by Mercy

DISCLAIMER: There is no sarcasim in this post. I am genuinely curious.


I just wanted to know what those of you who do not believe in God, or do not have faith in a higher power, do in crisis situations. As a believer and a person of faith, when I am faced with a crisis in my life it is just second nature for me to turn to God in prayer for whatever need I may have at the time.


For example, I have now buried both of my parents. They both died of cancer, and for those who have loved ones who have suffered with this disease, you know how hard it can be. I personally don't know what I would have done without my faith in God and being able to go to Him for comfort... which, I might add I received, big time.


So if you do not believe in God, what do you do when faced with a crisis in your life. What would you do, say, if your child was seriously ill or injured? 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?

PS: I hope this thread doesn't get locked

Hi Mercy. I think it is a very good question. (I have not read any of the responses yet.) I am very sorry about you losing both of your parents at such a young age, that's very sad.
I know people derive a lot of comfort from their faith- Don's brother died of cancer last year and they were very religious and I am my SIL's faith has helped her a lot.



Personally if I am having personal problems and need help, I turn to the people closest to me- my husband of course, my Dad, my Mom, my aunt (we are like sisters), my best girlfriends- and I have a of couple lifelong guy friends too. They help me with words of widsom, hugs, ideas/solutions, advice and support.



I personally don't feel like I am missing anything by not having faith in god. I don't believe prayer works- maybe if you believe it works, then it will work. I think that maybe it's one of those things for me where 'you don't miss what you've never had.' perhaps, since religion has never been a big part of my life, even as a child.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by taotoon

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?

Personally, and I think this is fairly typical, most atheists don't believe in ghosts or angels or anything else that is supernatural as opposed to 'of the natural world'. Not chupacabras either! (sorry, Scott.)


(because I am an agnostic atheistic though, I am undecided on the possibility of a higher power at work in the universe; it's possible, I am open minded- but I don't believe in the Judeo-Christian god.)


My worldview is more of a karmic, be a good person and you will be rewarded type of thing....that our choices make our lives the way they are, for the most part, and that happiness is largely a choice we make (barring mental illness of course!), yet sometimes random sh*t happens we have no control over and you have just to deal the best you can, shake it off, move on, and stay positive.

[roni]

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?

What it means depends on the person sending it, I suppose. It has the power to provide comfort, to make the receiver feel connected to other human beings who have heard of their need and are responding to it. You could call them instruments of your god's goodness if you wished to

I have, at times, sent people UUPEU (Unitarian-Universalist Prayer Equivalent Units), but only to people who would understand and appreciate them - other wise it is good thoughts, burning a candle for them, burning incense or something like that.

[Mamacita]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Personally, and I think this is fairly typical, most atheists don't believe in ghosts or angels or anything else that is supernatural as opposed to 'of the natural world'. Not chupacabras either! (sorry, Scott.)


(because I am an agnostic atheistic though, I am undecided on the possibility of a higher power at work in the universe; it's possible, I am open minded- but I don't believe in the Judeo-Christian god.)


My worldview is more of a karmic, be a good person and you will be rewarded type of thing....that our choices make our lives the way they are, for the most part, and that happiness is largely a choice we make (barring mental illness of course!), yet sometimes random sh*t happens we have no control over and you have just to deal the best you can, shake it off, move on, and stay positive.

I dunno. Seems like a bit of a copout. If you're a good person you'll be rewarded, but what about the bad people?

Maybe I'm simplistic, but when I held my son, born 11 weeks premature, to my breast and prayed for his survival, and then felt the peace that only God provides, I believe. But then again, I believed before I prayed.

I believe in a God that created this Earth and it's inhabitants. I also believe He created us with free will so that should we learn of his existence, we are free to reject that idea. I'm dumb I guess, to think that all this on Earth is not just random and that's why we have yet to find it on any other planet.

I wish you could know the comfort of having a higher power to turn to in times of crisis. Sometimes my own strength is not enough.

[Joana]

Alongside to what others here have said- I do not believe in God as a higher entitiy in the form of a conscious being that hears prayers, answers, rewards, punishes etc..

First and foremost I rely on myself, what life in all its different forms has taught me. And in times of need I make sure that my body and mind get what they need in order to stay "funtioning"- be it relaxation, diversion, what have you.
If needed I turn to family/friends etc..
And if it is a very dire situation I trust that everything always has its own way of running its course- alongside the thought of Karma/ the universe having a certain form of energy running through it. Not a conscious, directive energy- more like a net of energy that is not a conscious being itself but fed by all life on the planet........................ hard to explain.
Just a matter of trusting that everything will always have an outcome that is meant to be that way- even if it may not be the outcome I wanted.

As for what would I do for my child? First of all be there and offer everything I can give. Have others who are willing to do the same be there.
And also trust that IF there is a God, IF I am wrong he will take care of my child anyhow, as it is innocent.

"Positive thoughts" or "positive energy" when I use the term refer to the "energetic net" that I spoke about earlier- I believe that when I think of someone strongly, wish them well, they will somehow recieve that.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by Sue

I guess I don't see how my actions in this scenario would necessarily be any different than yours, except that I wouldn't be praying to God to "give me strength" or anything like that. I'd find the strength inside myself.

I have yet to read past this post - but this answer fits for me as well.
I have buried my mom, two in laws and been through 9 surgeries with my son. The "power of me" has worked just fine, and it's empowering to know you really are that strong.

[Shammy]

Originally Posted by jamesblonde

It's funny because I don't think that I had ever met someone that didn't believe.

Well, now you've met (at least) two of us!