In times of distress, do you ever find yourself tempted to pray to the God that you suspect or know does not exist "just in case" or are you so sure of what you believe that you never even give it a thought?
What do you do for peace during those moments?
2007-01-16 09:11:18 · 29 answers · asked by Sheryl 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, I was a very a very spiritual person, don't ask me how, until I was in my later teen years. When God failed to help my parents through their years of meth addiction, my three years of stage V crusted acne over 80% of my face, ease the pain from the years of clinical depression , I started looking inside more and realized that through all of these struggles, I can now guide myself through anything.
2007-01-16 09:17:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
No I don't.
I actually don't experience distress the same way a Christian would, as a situation of hopelessness.
If I have to rely on God, then that means the situation is out of my hands and there's nothing I can do. Knowing that God works in mysterious ways, I couldn't be sure that he would be there to help or that he would even want to.
I believe that I largely hold the power to control my destiny. It is through my actions that I can make it through those trying times. That is an empowering feeling. That is what gives me peace.
2007-01-16 17:31:08 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
This question shouldn't be directed towards atheists because they're without belief in a deity and by that, the question would already be answered without asking it. The question would be better directed towards agnostics as they can not say whether or not a 'god' exists.
What I do for peace? Well, I try to acknowledge to myself that things will happen in life whether they cause me happiness or cause me stress. The way I choose do deal with them determines how I find peace.
2007-01-16 17:41:12 · answer #3 · answered by Maureen B 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I slow down, have a beer, and relax. I get into a good frame of mind and logically consider the possibilities and actions I could take to change things, and usually choose the best path that I can. Bicycling has been a very meditative activity for me, as it clears my mind of erroneous things. I have solved a lot of problems while pedaling.
So far, this method has worked for me every time. Even if I make the wrong choice, I learn from my mistakes and gain wisdom for next time. Each time I do this, I gain experience and confidence to handle even bigger problems, and nothing stands in my way.
2007-01-16 17:22:23 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Having once been a person of faith, there was a period after I ceased to consider myself as such when I might have been inclined to look to the god of my youth for support in times of great distress, mainly because it was a habit for so long, but now I simply remind myself that people have faced worse tragedies and trials, overcome or survived them, and gotten back on their horses afterward. If they can do it, I can. Perhaps more importantly, I know I have the support of my friends and family.
2007-01-16 17:24:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When I am overwhelmed by a moment, I simply allow it to overwhelm me. Once the emotion is processed and acknowledged, it is much easier to set it aside and take new stock of the situation.
A few months ago I tried moving out with a friend. He was forced to leave after only two weeks. In the isolation, I literally went nuts. I remember returning to the house one night and laying down in my empty bedroom, face down on the floor, literally just twitching and spasming as the stress utterly overwhelmed me.
About an hour later, tired, exhausted, and in pain from the muscle spasms, I sat up, realized I'd just wasted an hour, and made a list of the things that needed to happen for me to get out of the lease and get moved back into the house.
The next day, I did those things.
2007-01-16 17:17:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think that there may be a God. Yes, I pray now and then for meditation.
Most will say no. Would you pray to something that you know does not exist?
2007-01-16 17:15:17 · answer #7 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
That is the point of being an Atheist, you know that there are no gods so no point in praying to something that does not exist. As a christian you sometimes pray to allah, just in case? [or visa versa] Makes me think you must question in your hart if there really are any gods.
2007-01-16 17:16:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
No. In times of distress, do you ever think to call on the Little Mermaid for help? Why not? Does it just not occur to you that she could be hanging around, willing to help?
I think about asking god for help as often as you think of asking the Little Mermaid for help.
2007-01-16 17:27:49 · answer #9 · answered by eri 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't. That would be totally useless. Nice try to trick an Atheist into saying they actually believe in a god though.
2007-01-17 13:50:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋