A serious question for those who do not believe in God

[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

[Bumble]

Drink!

Sorry, I know this was supposed to be "serious" but I couldn't resist.

[Mindbender]

Well the short answer is, if I don't have anybody close to me at hand I just draw on my inner reserves and refusal to be beaten by anything.

[Sue]

I rely on resources, which includes friends, but mostly on the Power of Me.

[Mercy]

Originally Posted by Sue

I rely on resources, which includes friends, but mostly on the Power of Me.

Ok, Mindbender and Sue you said your inner resources, Power of Me... but what is that exactly? Senerio: Your kid is seriously ill, what do you do? How does Power of Me play out?

Again, I'm genuinely interested.

[Sue]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Ok, Mindbender and Sue you said your inner resources, Power of Me... but what is that exactly? Senerio: Your kid is seriously ill, what do you do? How does Power of Me play out?

Again, I'm genuinely interested.

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.

[Mercy]

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.

How would your inner strength, help your child? I can see how it would help you, but what about your child?

[DUNMAC]

Originally Posted by Mercy

Ok, Mindbender and Sue you said your inner resources, Power of Me... but what is that exactly? Senerio: Your kid is seriously ill, what do you do? How does Power of Me play out?

Again, I'm genuinely interested.

I think that means they do what they personnaly CAN DO.
What does praying to God actually do for you? Please explain, i'm genuinely interested!!!!!

[Buggirl]

This is a really great question, Mercy- thanks for bringing it up I'm not much of a religious person so I think I'm someone whose answer might interest you.

I truly enjoy my life here on earth. There are so many amazing things about being alive- flowers in spring, a warm breeze on you face, true love- and life is too short. There are also a lot of terrible things that happen in the world. I've had my fair share in my own family. The way I see it- I don't want to waste my short time on this earth being sad, negative, or otherwise upset. While it is extremely hard to deal with situations like terminal illness, you can also look at those situations as an opportunity to embrace life, and help someone enjoy their last time on this earth. While I won't deny that I've spent my fair share of time crying- I try to get it out and move on with things. I've found that any situation that I've encountered can be dealt with way. Of course, I do rely on family and friends to give my a shoulder to lean on, when I need it.

I'm not as articulate as I want to be, here. I hope my comments make sense Basically, life is precious and should be enjoyed fully- however that may be. Good thoughts remind me that I have friends thinking of me and that there is life out there to enjoy, even if times seem grim

I'm very sorry about your parents, Mercy. Cancer is very hard to handle.

[lolabella]

Being baptized and raised as a Catholic, I’ve really tried hard to believe in God. In times of personal crisis, I’ve attempted to call upon him to help me through whatever it was I needed help with. But there was never any evidence that he stood by my side when I needed strength and guidance the most. So, as others have said here, it was my own personal strength, will, and determination, that got me through most of my difficult times.

[Bumble]

Originally Posted by lolabella

Being baptized and raised as a Catholic, I’ve really tried hard to believe in God. In times of personal crisis, I’ve attempted to call upon him to help me through whatever it was I needed help with. But there was never any evidence that he stood by my side when I needed strength and guidance the most. So, as others have said here, it was my own personal strength, will, and determination, that got me through most of my difficult times.

Great reply!

[Sue]

Originally Posted by Mercy

How would your inner strength, help your child? I can see how it would help you, but what about your child?

Well, as far as helping my child, I'd have to get the help of the medical professionals. And I'd do everything that I could to support that child, of course.

I believe that you are saying that you can help your sick child better than I can help mine because you believe in God and I don't? So, God would help your child because YOU believe in God but God would not help my child because I don't believe in God?

[DUNMAC]

Originally Posted by Sue

Well, as far as helping my child, I'd have to get the help of the medical professionals. And I'd do everything that I could to support that child, of course.

I believe that you are saying that you can help your sick child better than I can help mine because you believe in God and I don't? So, God would help your child because YOU believe in God but God would not help my child because I don't believe in God?

Well said Sue.

[roni]

When our son died 8 1/2 years ago at the age of 19 we relied on our friends,family, and our Unitarian-Universalist church community and ultimately on each other. Note that many UU's are secular, atheistic humanists, but other are theists - which should not be taken to mean that all the theists believe in the Judeo-Christian monotheistic god.

[Daddy B]

Face reality, get as much information as I can, weigh pros and cons, draw on others' factual experiences if any apply/that I know of and can establish the facts thereof, quickly establish plan A and carry it out while working on plan B, C, D...

I saw my wife survive breast cancer owing to excellent medical advice and practice (hooray for the Royal Marsden Hospital in London!!!!!) but sadly lost my father to lung cancer since his tumour was a lot more aggressive (something which was conclusively established through cytological analysis) and there was little or nothing the medical team could do even if they tried their hardest while showing the utmost compassion.

I've got scuba diving students out of tricky, life-threatening situations by being prepared and applying tried/tested knowledge. Should I be religious, praying while doing what I have been trained to do in circumstances such as these would merely distract me and delay my response.

Just a few days ago I came off my road bike on a fast turn at about 25mph (human error, forgot to transfer the weight onto the front wheel while going from a hydraulic cement surface onto very slippery tarmac while tring to keep an optimal, precise line) and only experience and quick thinking allowed me to do most things right and escape with only a few scrapes on my right forearm.

I could go on...