There is a new book coming out, detailing that Mother Teresa did not "feel" the presence of God or Jesus or whatever during the last 50 years of her life. Which suggests to me that she "felt" something for the first 35 years of her life. So, what the hell are you supposed to feel? In this country of >90% God fearing Christians, no one has ever told me that they "felt" anything. People have told me that they "believed", but no one has ever spoken to me about genuine "feelings". Does anyone out there "feel" the presence of God? What does he feel like? Is he tickly? Does his breath smell OK? Or is it kinda musty? Perhaps this explains why I am an athiest. I've never felt a damn thing. Well, I thought I did once, but it turned out to just be the cat...
2007-08-23 17:20:14 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This is a very good question and I think only you can have the answer. I do not believe that all people will have the same answer although there may be similarities. This is because people are at different stages in their walk or relationship with the Lord.
For me being in the presence of God, I feel joy, peace, and love. I go to a church which believes in the manifestation of the Holy spirit. When the Holy Spirit comes over you, believe me, you will know it!
People receive baptism of the spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Some get drunk in the spirit which is immense joy, laughter, happiness. Some get slain in the spirit. This is when you see people fall, it looks like they faint. This is truly an encounter with god! Then there is also Holy fire from the spirit. This is sometimes a hot or almost burning sensation on all or some parts of your body, sometimes it feels like electricity!
I know if you have not felt any of this it is hard for you to believe all of this. Believe me, I used to think it was all fake and a bunch of rubbish. Then I gave God a chance, I had nothing to loose, It was the best decision I ever made and I have been high on Jesus ever since! Try God, ask him to show himself to you, to touch you in a way that would destroy all doubt. Step out in faith! God bless you!
2007-08-23 17:59:05 · answer #1 · answered by jojo9 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't really have an answer, but I know what you're talking about. Most of the time, I think people have just been brainwashed and either talk themselves into feeling something out of fear or find comfort in conformity and not having to think for themselves.
Every once in a while, I wonder if there's something out there I just don't get that lots of other people get. The thought never gets beyond "wonder". We can only know what's in front of us, and it's hard to take someone else's word on what you feel.
2007-08-23 17:29:32 · answer #2 · answered by Cusper 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
One can experience God's presence in a variety of ways. I believe the most common ways are love over flowing, that is so overwhelming all you can do is cry. You will never ever experience the love of God any other way.You will feel a peace in your spirit that is very hard to describe, but you know it immediately when you feel it. there is also a quite joy that comes from deep within and fills you up and you are satisified and content, no matter what situation you find yourself in it sustains you. Once you have experienced God's presence in your life you yearn to be with Him and be continuely in His presence. It is an experience that is all consuming, and filling. It is all around you. It is the most wonderful experience you will ever have in this life.
2007-08-23 17:48:35 · answer #3 · answered by kingsdaughter 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I felt something once, too, but as soon as I took Maalox it went away. Reminds me of some graffiti I saw when I was in college. In large print on the stairwell wall was "The Kingdom of God is Within You." Below that, in smaller print, it said "Yea, verily, it hath given unto me a goodly case of heartburn."
2007-08-23 17:26:10 · answer #4 · answered by link955 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You said it yourself..."Perhaps this explains why I am an atheist. I've never felt a damn thing" If you felt something, you probably wouldn't be an atheist.
'Because sin abounds, the hearts of many will wax cold.'
You don't 'feel God' because you don't seek His face. If you could see some of what I've seen, you would definitely feel something. It's what keeps me going in this sick world....
2007-08-23 17:26:50 · answer #5 · answered by witnessnbr1 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
You could always try psilocybin mushrooms. According to at least one study, these were found to cause people to have "religious experiences".
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=18812
Actually, I wouldn't be terribly surprised if humanity's religions actually got their start after some cromagnon tried eating one of these things.
2007-08-23 17:34:08 · answer #6 · answered by Azure Z 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Any feelings christians claim to have, are a result of a false sense of knowledge and ultimate truth. Feelings include:smugness, sense of superiority, sense of great intelligence, and narrow-mindedness.
2007-08-23 17:27:24 · answer #7 · answered by learydisciple 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I empathize with your questions...
I used to be an atheist, but am a Christian Theist now (http://godsci.org/gs/chri/testimony/seek.html ) in part due to the evidence for the existence of God ( http://godsci.org/gs/godsci/god.htm )
For some, feelings are an important part of their experience with God - with me, feelings are one among many components (and not the most important one by any means).
Cordially,
John
http://www.GodSci.org
2007-08-23 17:25:29 · answer #8 · answered by John 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Atleast it was not gas. All jokes aside, if you can master the art of meditation or do your chakras you can "feel" the Holy Spirit come through you, it feels like a drug and you are energized.
2007-08-23 17:29:29 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
I think those who "feel" something suffer from delusions, emotional overloads - perhaps she grew up but couldn't find a real job.
2007-08-23 17:24:46 · answer #10 · answered by Brent Y 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋