How does a lifechanging event effect you? Of course I do not agree with the views of athiest but I do appreciate the fact that they have the right to believe or not believe what they like. Just as I was brought up in a Christian/ Baptist home as a todler, I also understand that athiest or those of other beliefs may have been that way since they were todlers. So here is my question for the athiest...would a lifechanging, life threatning event like a sudden death of a loved one or cancer cause you to want to turn to belief in God?
To those that do believe in God...do you think a life threatning event like death of a love one or cancer would cause you to doubt your faith in God? Do you know someone that is like this?
2007-06-17 07:25:16 · 36 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have been through many trials, but the most difficult one happened nine years ago, when my youngest child of 12 years experimented in his bedroom and hung. It never entered my head to doubt my faith in God, because I knew that there is nothing outside of God worth living for. I knew that my God could comfort me like no other, and that He has the key to all unknown, and I am glad about that. My children ask me why I He allowed it, and my answer to them is "I don't know", but what I do know is, that I can trust my God in it, because He works everything together for good, even this very difficult circumstance, and looking back over the nine years since this occured, I am in awe of what God has done in the circumstance and through it. People have come to know the Lord through it, and I could type all night telling you of all the ways in which the Lord has used my difficult situation and grief. He is God, and I trust Him with everything!
2007-06-17 09:07:02 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I was treated for cancer a few years ago. I was a Christian at the time though I had started to question a few things. I found no comfort in my 'religion' at all. I am now Pagan and I understand more of what life and death are about than ever I did before my illness. I had to pull away from my 'idea' of God in order to really find God. I'm not frightened of cancer or life or death any more. I have found peace and am no longer afraid to walk the path that is taking me home.
2007-06-17 08:56:13 · answer #2 · answered by hedgewitch18 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have a condition that will greatly limit the amount of years I spend on this planet. Having heard from various sources since a youngster that I wouldn't make it to see adulthood really changed my perspective on living. Each year I survived was a bonus, and must admit I find more gratitude to modern science for helping prolong my life more than any deity.
Can't say how my perspective will be when it appears obvious I may be closer to the end. The idea of heaven seems like little more than some kind of divine reward that it doesn't seem real to me, and haven't felt much divine presence as I have endured the pain and discomfort that this condition brings. Being an agnostic, I leave open the door to the possibility of a greater intelligence, but can't honestly turn to it when I have received no clear indication of it in my lifetime.
Just my thoughts.
2007-06-17 07:44:13 · answer #3 · answered by scottr 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A big part of the reason I conclude there were no gods was due to the fact that I actually had to wittiness my loved one die of cancer. I cannot believe there is any all loving deity after all I've been though.
I would never start believing in a god just my life was coming to an end.
2007-06-17 07:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well, my Dad's sudden and completely unexpected death didn't make me turn to a nonexistent being.
If I had cancer, I'd turn to scientific medicine.
How a nonexistent being could help is unclear to me.
No, I wasn't raised an atheist. It's a conclusion I came to before age 14.
It's not that I think there's a god but don't think I need it, it's that there is no such thing as god.
Would you suddenly turn to Purple Unicorn if something happened to you?
Probably not, because, well, why WOULD you?
2007-06-17 11:25:47 · answer #5 · answered by tehabwa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well I had a biopsy last week, and should have the results soon. I am at peace with this no matter how the results come back. We are mortal, after all, and nobody is guaranteed tomorrow. The results could come back saying the tumors are benign and I could get hit by a truck leaving the Dr.’s office. We do what we can today and leave tomorrow to tomorrow. Whatever happens, God is with me.
2007-06-17 07:34:26 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Would it cause me to WANT to turn to belief in god?
I was raised christian and sometimes, yes, I miss having that faith. I look at people who are so sure that "god's in his heaven and all's right with the world". It makes me sad. I'm sure that if I were to discover that I had cancer, I might wish I could have some of that faith back. But I've never been in the habit of lying to myself. Knowing what I know now, I couldn't just delude myself so that suffering and death might come more easily. I would just try to be strong, and turn to the people in my life who are REALLY there for comfort and support -- my family and friends.
2007-06-17 07:31:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
My great uncle had cancer, he just died last year. He had is doubts in God, only after spending years in the hospital with one operation after another, he would read books upon books during recovery. He began to believe that there was no God. He died and still wished that, and asked to be cremated, though our family still had a church service.
I think there are different ways people who undergo these experiences come out thinking. Though it was a shame he ended up with those beliefs, I find it ironic that he died after he lost hope. By finding God, at least you find a new solution to your problems.
2007-06-17 07:31:12 · answer #8 · answered by summahhh! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If I had cancer (or if anyone else close to me did) I would turn to the best specialized doctor that I could possible (possibly not) afford.
I do believe, however, in faith, but not in a religious way. I believe will power and hope for the best can help heal a person.
It is slightly contradictory to turn to your god for this. "Please god help me (or whomever) get well." And then turn around when I die and say that this was all part of your god's plan and he wanted me there in "heaven" and not on earth. Why ask your god for something when he'll do whatever he wants anyways?!!?!?!?
If my mother had cancer, I would find the stregth in MYSELF and help her find the strength in HER. My mother believes in your god, and if that helps her find the strength in herself, so be it. However, some people don't need your so called god to do so.
2007-06-17 07:43:25 · answer #9 · answered by Thinking 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If I don't believe in god, why should I pretend to do in such a situation? Would you turn to Zeus or Santa Claus?
Either you believe in a god or you don't believe. People who say they don't believe and suddenly believe when they could get some benefits out of it, would be hypocrites or simply liars to me.
I can't change my believe just because I'm unable to handle a situation! That's just not possible.
I would try to use everything possible to deal with it and if I can't handle it myself, I would look for help (here on earth).
When I say I don't believe in a god, then I can't suddenly rely on one, that's impossible, no matter what.
I hope I could help to make you understand my view :)
2007-06-17 07:45:25 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋