I am more an animist than anything, and I definitly do not believe in the Judeo-Christian view of God. But I do know Christians who claim to really know God and feel him and have a relationship with him. They even draw strength from praying to him. So what kind of phenomenon is that? Are they just tapping into a different part of themselves? I just want to know what you all think.
2006-12-27 06:55:02 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Sorry, I meant Atheists.
I like your answers about attaching ideas to neuropaths being created, and drawing on your own energy and attachign God to it. Those really make sense to me.
Of course you others could be right and it could be psychosis.
2006-12-27 07:04:47 · update #1
No offense to anyone, but this question was directed specificly to Atheists since I don't feel someone in the experience would be able to evaluate my question without bias, even if they had good intentions.
2006-12-27 07:06:36 · update #2
Just because we can't explain it yet, doesn't mean it is beyond comprehension. Several hundred years ago men thought Haley's comet was the hand of God brandishing a sword.
2006-12-27 06:57:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Habit. And, it is really as simple as that. People need something to believe it, whether it's the Bible or that their cat really loves them.
However, there is evidence that prayer and meditation are extraordinarily helpful to general health and well being. Though, that has been shown to be psychological. There are areas of the brain that actually benefit from that kind of deep concentration. Also, it is the power of positive thinking. When a practicing Christian prays, they are focusing on hope and faith that God is with them and behind them all the way, which is a very empowering thing. Just think about it, doesn't it feel much better going through life "knowing" that there is someone who is behind you all the way? Now, from a Christian point of view, not only is someone with them, but it is someone omnipotent, who loves you and wants you to make the right decisions and have all the best.
If you take what Christians practice, and think about it in a non-religious manner, it makes sense as to why they draw strength from their practices.
2006-12-27 15:06:10 · answer #2 · answered by The Only 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1) It's spelled "atheists".
2) No. It's all an induced psychosis. Very powerful and dangerous. These poor people have been indoctrinated (a kinder word to brainwashed) into believing in myths and truths. They are tapping into the ignorant part of their brains.
2006-12-27 15:02:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's manifesting destiny. If you think positive, good things will happen. There is an amazing amount of energy that is created by everything, if we are able to tap into that we can draw out feelings that Christians think is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. But I can feel it to, and I'm not Christian so go figure huh?
2006-12-27 15:01:15 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
well i'm agnostic because nobody has proven nor disproven that a higher being exists or doesn't anyway if a higher being does exist then fine but i'm still not high on religion as all it leads to is fanaticism and intolerance now what you are is a deist you believe in a higher being but not religion anyway those types of people you're describing sound more like gnostics as it's gnostics who claim to have certain knowledge about a higher being otherwise it's just blind faith and hope that leads them to these conclusions of their's
2006-12-27 15:07:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
One possibility is that they are literally right and they are tapped into god. I can't disprove it anymore than they can prove it.
The other possibility is that they believe all this in their heads and any effects that they get are just in their heads. Kind of like a placebo effect. But I can't prove that either.
Just don't be overly impressed unless you see some verifiable evidence.
2006-12-27 15:04:57 · answer #6 · answered by Alan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that they are using a form of meditation and that is good. The belief in God is not wrong. What is wrong is when the believers claim that they are the only ones who know the "truth". What is wrong is when the believers want to force their beliefs on me through our laws. I will not tolerate that.
2006-12-27 15:00:25 · answer #7 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I believe that their religious experiences are either hallucinations or simply dreams. When they pray, it's like reaching out to a part of themselves (the ancient part of them that worshipped the sun) that had never been reached. Probably that's how.
2006-12-27 15:24:23 · answer #8 · answered by whitearmofrohan 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Do you understand what the placebo affect is?? Claiming to really know God, claiming to feel him and have a relationship - thats simply delusions. Drawing strength - thats the placebo affect.
2006-12-27 14:59:44 · answer #9 · answered by YDoncha_Blowme 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
so much research has been done with the brain and how it acts differently under different situations, the neural patterns are changing all the time, and sometimes dramatically. If you are religious and experience this, it is very easy to attach the experience, especially if it is charged with emotion.
2006-12-27 15:01:47 · answer #10 · answered by snocy 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋