Here's the sitch. I did something stupid which we are trying to rectify. If I believed in god, it's something I would pray about. We are taking logical steps to address the situation and logically I understand that's all we can do. But I'm feeling a strong urge to do something superstitious....like praying. (Even knowing full well that the only effect it will have is on me, etc. etc. etc.)
Because I USED to believe in god, the act of praying - even if not addressed to an entity - makes me feel hypocritical. Even if I addressed it to Fate, it would still feel like praying to god, and that's just wrong for me.
So what can I do to relieve my mind?
NOTE: No, I'm not feeling a push to come back to god. Nor is that an idea I would entertain. I'm looking for any OTHER reasonable idea or trick here - not just to deal with this situation but for things that will come up in the future. Oh, and it was something boneheaded I did, not evil. Remember, atheists do have morals too!
2007-05-24 10:03:41 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I'd better add some detail. I thank you for the kind advice, but what I'm feeling the need to "pray" about is the outcome, not my feelings on the matter.
The stupid thing I did may cost us $4,200. So what I want to "pray" for is that it WON'T cost us! lol
I have plenty of practice with dealing with my faults, no worries!
2007-05-24 10:25:48 · update #1
Arr, one more explanation - the $4,200 isn't a fine - it's a tax thingy.
2007-05-24 10:27:44 · update #2
You can hope without actually making it prayer because you wont be addressing God. Sometimes in my mind I am saying please please please let me pass before checking an exam grade or something and although I am not atheist its not really a prayer but something in the middle. I dont know what I'm talking about either
2007-05-24 13:28:29 · answer #1 · answered by E.T.01 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just know that you are a human, and will make mistakes. As long as ill will wasn't the reason for it you shouldn't feel bad about it. If you are in the process of solving the situation then your actions to rectify will be something for you to feel good about. Praying about is the same a farting over it, you'll get the same outcome. If you still have bad feelings go help an elderly person, or voluteer at an animal shelter or an after school program. Give some money to charity or give blood. Good and bad to me is all about intent. That is one of the problems I have with main stream religions, you can be a vile, greedy, hateful, scumbag all week and if you show up with a fifty cent piece for the preacher it's alright.
2007-05-24 10:17:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Feel... the word you are looking for is feel... without knowing what you did. I can only give examples on an assumption... did something wrong... sometimes cry... scared... talk to a friend... sometimes mad at your self... take a little temper tantrum by your self to let the emotions out... and then you go back to resoning... I did something stupid which we are trying to rectify. We are taking logical steps to address the situation and logically I understand that's all we can do.. sometimes you can put your feelings down on paper.... FEEL that is what we do.
2007-05-24 10:11:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
~~~ Rune,,, As a fellow atheist may I offer you this advice,,,, What you are simply feeling is your urge of a Conditioned Response formed by an established pattern of Previous Behaviour. You are also left with a feeling of dis-connectedness to this former Authority Figure of god you were told would absolve you of your transgressions on the condition that you submitted... What you acheived is a State of Grace in your own Awareness that you have Realized that your Actions are Accountable to your Self. At this new Level of Awareness you now take better care of your Freewill and act accordingly,,,, Namaste`
2007-05-24 10:26:15 · answer #4 · answered by Sensei TeAloha 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is ok for atheists to pray or feel guilty. There are no 'rules' for an atheist unlike religions and religious texts.
Prayer can come in different forms. Like kneeling before the cross and seek forgiveness to doing something to undo your 'stupid' doing.
If you hurt someone, do something nice for them. If you hurt yourself (like cheating on a test) then do something to 'make up' for it like donating food at a shelter. Something that will give you some peace. Of course don't physically hurt yourself.
It is not hypocritical to pray if you are an atheist. In fact, tt is hypocritical to stick to some made-up rules.
2007-05-24 10:14:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Meditate. Sit quietly and really think over what you did, what the reprocussions were, how has been effected, etc. etc. Now take some time to think about WHY you did it and why you now think it was boneheaded. Finally, think about why it is still nagging you. What do you need to do to move forward and learn from this? I can't guarentee anything, but this should help clear things up and lead you to an answer to ease your mind.
2007-05-24 10:14:10 · answer #6 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
haha your question reminds me of the famous line: there are no atheists in foxholes.
The way I see it. Whatever it is you are trying to achieve will ultimately converge to your drive and desire to do it. Yes at times no matter how much drive and desire and effort we put into something we wish to achieve, we fail. Luck has alittle to do with it. It is something out of our control (to me luck is like the error term of a statistical model). The problem is too many people live like luck, destiny, fate, (and all the other as i call the "exploit the masses" concepts) are the predominant sources of their ability to achieve or feel fulfillment or deliverance.
2007-05-24 10:15:16 · answer #7 · answered by sirtitan45 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think if you felt like speaking to your inner self as others would to God, that wouldn't violate any of the beliefs you hold right now. You could just speak to your inner self and resolve any feelings of stupidity and that you wouldn't do something boneheaded in the future.
2007-05-24 10:13:01 · answer #8 · answered by Gypsy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you ARE god. and seeking a solution outside of your god ablity? atheist believe in themselves as their own savior..god..ect.
there isn't anything left but YOU. the problem solver of your own messes.
fate is still GOD doing.
satan like you right where you are.
so don't pray.
just go through the fire..the stupidity of your own mistake..you have no savior..you have no help beyond or above this natural world..because that is where GOD is.
and here is a stupidstitch saying for you..GOOD LUCK..ther is no power in luck..either HE bless you..or not..either satan curse you or not..
your on your own..all the way.
and if you slip "OH GOD" you're calling on your spiritual father..he wait for you..like a father waiting for a progital son.
2007-05-24 10:18:02 · answer #9 · answered by blessedrobert 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing wrong with praying to the universe. The intention is what counts. Buddhists pray without directing it to a god.
2007-05-24 10:14:01 · answer #10 · answered by Shawn B 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋