If someone you cared about was losing his/her faith and was extremely upset about it, how would you comfort that person?
2007-02-09 06:00:11 · 19 answers · asked by Eleventy 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Would you encourage them to rediscover their faith?
2007-02-09 06:00:51 · update #1
I would tell them that it is OK to let go of superstition. Religion uses some heavily emotional manipulation and childhood indoctrination. It can be very scary to emerge from that.
I would just be patient and answer any questions they have. I would emphasize the positive aspects of atheism and explain how much comfort and peace it gives me to not be superstitious anymore.
2007-02-09 06:05:19 · answer #1 · answered by nondescript 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I've been there so I know how hard that is. I would encourage them to keep searching. As I did, I looked into other religions and belief systems. Just because they are losing faith in their religion doesn't mean they are ready to become an atheist. Each person has to find their own path in life. It doesn't happen overnight.
2007-02-09 06:05:31 · answer #2 · answered by Stormilutionist Chasealogist 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would encourage them to search for the answers they need within and be absolutely honest. Then I would help them work out how they really feel about the answers they have found. My opinions and beliefs would never have to enter in to it, nor would I have to specifically support continuing to follow a particular faith. I would simply guide that person to figure out what they really feel and you can't expect someone to do anything but what they really believe in.
2007-02-09 06:09:25 · answer #3 · answered by Phoenix, Wise Guru 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
i do no longer reject one faith's concept of God in specific. that's the thought there is a ideal being that I actually have a situation with. maximum religions are very previous, and whilst they began they have been the main suitable reasons for why we are right here that have been available on the time. on condition that then, we've arise with what I and maximum different atheists think of is a extra effective one, that's technology. technology explains issues in a fashion that i discover far extra convincing than faith; it additionally leaves room for issues that it won't be in a position to describe yet, which religions tend to no longer do; i discover that they have a tendency to think of that they have each and all the solutions. Scientists are very honest approximately what they don't be attentive to. And the extra I learn technology, the extra superb the worldwide seems. faith merely continually finally ends up directing me back to the holy e book, or regardless of; it reduces each and everything to believing. i do no longer choose to have self assurance in something i do no longer discover convincing, and that i do no longer think of the thought there is a ideal being is convincing. I additionally do no longer purely like the thought somebody else could tell me what to do because of the fact he knows what the suitable being needs me to do, yet that's a quarrel with organised faith, no longer with faith. i think of that faith has given us superb song and artwork and poetry over the centuries, and that i admire those issues dearly. although that is non secular faith as such that I actually have a situation with, no longer anybody faith in specific. wish that replaced into efficient!
2016-11-03 00:05:42 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That sounds like a case for non-directive counselling, unless a specific input was requested. So firstly, find out what sort of comfort they would like, (limited by me being honest) then I would tend to point out options that were being missed, from the whole spectrum of world views.
It is a very dubious position to hold, that the only sane, balanced, people think as I do.
2007-02-09 06:17:02 · answer #5 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I'd encourage them to discover who they are without a religion to allow them to deny who they are.
As for comfort... well you can't really comfort people about some things. Words are only words.
Its like when someone dies, you can say you feel sympathy, and that you're sorry the person died and the like, but it would really mean nothing because they're just words.
2007-02-09 06:06:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would then tell them that i am atheist as most people i know don't know that i am.
It's not so bad to not have religion, religion is like a crutch, it helps you go through life happily if you are weak, but if you realize that you aren't lame then you no longer feel a need for it.
Just the same i wouldn't push my beliefs onto that person, i would give them the space they need to form their own individual reasoning
2007-02-09 06:07:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I would encourage them to see a good counselor. There would have to be larger issues going on in their life that needed to be dealt with. Otherwise I would be their friend.
2007-02-09 06:14:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I would probably encourage them to explore the possibility that God does not exist. Not in a "convert or burn" Christian way but in a "you need to look at all possibilities" way.
However, I would be hopeful that they discovered the truth in Atheism / Agnosticism.
2007-02-09 06:08:48 · answer #9 · answered by Bow down to me 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
who in the world would be upset about losing their faith? It must be like waking from a coma and suddenly being able to see the real world around them.
2007-02-09 06:04:23 · answer #10 · answered by noestoli 3 · 4⤊ 3⤋