...she is this little old Russian lady who trys tto sell trinkets and junk. I gave to her not to receive, but just to help. She refused to allow me to walk away without giving me SOMETHING, so she gave me a photograph of some landscape I had never seen....then, while thanking me profusely, she made the sign of the cross, kissed her hands and made the sign of the cross on me, as if she was blessing me... Im an atheist, and I just wanted her to know that her thanks was all I needed, but she speaks no english.
What does that make me - an atheist who gave money to the poor for no other reason than to help out.....do you still think I am a bad person for not beleiving? Do you think her mythical God is smiling upon me for assisting her?
On another note......
2006-09-22 10:03:32 · 19 answers · asked by YDoncha_Blowme 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Two weeks prior to this, my friend and I were out to lunch for her birthday. We saw this little lady, and she was selling used pantyhose (gross). My freind and I laughed about it and didnt think about it again. So, whhen I came in to work, I showed her the pic that the lady had given to me - and my friend recognized the landscape immediately as being some Falls in Jamaica!! She had been there!!!! Isnt that a strange coincidence????
Tripped me out....like there is some cosmic connection between the three of us.....I first saw and felt compassion for this lady when I was with my friend, then when she gives me a pic, it is of some place my friend has recently been to.... weird!
2006-09-22 10:05:03 · update #1
My point is not to seek approval. I am more curious why your God (if he indeed exists) WOULDNT allow me, someone with compassion for my fellow man, access to his palace in the sky, if I have lived a good, generous life, without harming other men.... Regardless if I doubt his existence, I do not doubt my compassion for others.
2006-09-22 10:20:05 · update #2
There are no accidents. Who can tell you "the real" meaning of anything that happens? It is open to your interpretation of events and the good news is you are free to believe anything you chose.
So to me on a personal level,it says you made a choice to help someone in need and in return you received something to ponder that is perhaps greater than your belief system about life.
2006-09-22 10:13:57 · answer #1 · answered by rascal 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
That was a nice and thoughtful gesture of you. I don't think you're a bad person at all. I do think that God is reaching out to you, though.
By whose standards have you lived a good life...man's. God has other standards. By His standards we are all sinners no matter how good we might think we are. That is why we all need to be forgiven by Him. He is the One that declares what is good or bad or right or wrong. He alone is the judge. So we are all guilty in His eyes. And as such He is the only one that can forgive the sin, which is committed against Him.
2006-09-22 17:09:39 · answer #2 · answered by JohnC 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This is a great thing you did whether you believe or not. There is a parable in the bible where a man gave people money expecting it back but when he was told that they could not pay in back he waved there debt. God looks gratefully upon those who give with the thought of not receiving. You treasures in heaven will be multiplied for what you did God bless.
2006-09-22 17:09:18 · answer #3 · answered by Fluffy 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know you are atheist, but from my Christian view, I see it as a sign from God. The cross the old lady did for you and the connection you and your friends found together from this is a sign from God telling you he wants you to accept him in your life. I really am not trying to offend you at all. This is just my view. What you did was very nice! I think God is happy with what you did and sees your kind heart!
2006-09-22 17:10:51 · answer #4 · answered by lees girl 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
God isn't mythical, but yes I think He's happy that you helped her. I wish that you would allow God to show you the level of faith that woman must have, being homeless and still maintaining faith in God despite having hard times. It's interesting to me that ppl use the argument of pain to discount God's existence, when there are Christians who've endured a lot of pain, and still don't deny Him. Apparently, they have an explanation for why pain exists (hint: sin)
2006-09-22 17:08:41 · answer #5 · answered by STEPHEN J 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who says atheists are bad people? You can do good deeds no matter what you believe. The Bible simply says only those who believe in the Lord and live good lives will receive eternal life. Do you really think the Lord should allow everyone into heaven even if they deny His name? You have the right to be a non-believer just as I (and your little Russian woman) have the right to believe. We will all account for our lives in the end.
2006-09-22 17:09:00 · answer #6 · answered by TJMiler 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe that you went through that experience for a reason. I believe in God, and feel like we are given signs in life to reassure us that God is indeed there. I don't think you are a bad person for not believing. Just open your mind and heart, and don't be afraid to feel love that God has shown through other people...esspecially that lady...what did she have to gain, except the satisfaction she gave you and doing God's work.
2006-09-22 17:11:48 · answer #7 · answered by Whitney S 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Bless your heart for giving to another without expecting something in return. It does show your a kind person, but that is not what gives us eternal life. It's believing in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. I really pray you open your heart in accepting Jesus, you will change as a person & it will keep getting better. Lord bless you for what you did. We all need to believe in something, and I hope that's Jesus.
2006-09-22 18:05:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok; I believe in god so this is the way I see it. Yes, he is reminding you of what he created. If a person looks around they will see God in everything. The waterfall or landscape was an example of some of the wonders that God had created.
2006-09-22 17:12:29 · answer #9 · answered by Busy Lady 2010 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That is a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it.
And yes, you 3 are cosmically connected.
2006-09-22 17:07:20 · answer #10 · answered by FaerieWhings 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋