The imaginary God made me feel better?

Question

I am a Deist, but I attend a non-denominational Christian Church with my wife. Yesterday, before church, I was feeling somewhat depressed and my anxiety was high for no particular reason. At church, many of the people were friendly to me. I got hugs from several ladies and social interaction with many of the men about things like football, work, etc. (Of course, none of them know I am not a Christian) Our kids were playing and having fun. The music which was played by the Christian Rock band sounded nice. I must admit that all of these things made me feel better. As I stood there listening to the music, I could not help but wonder if this warm, fuzzy feeling that I got from the music, social interaction and friendly people is what people mistake for being God or the Holy Spirit. I, being familiar with the ridiculous inconsistencies of the Bible, was able to remain grounded in reality, but I could see how someone who desperately wanted to believe in a higher power could think this warm, fuzzy feeling, was something supernatural. My question is: Anyone that knows anything about human psychology knows that being warm and friendly to one another, listening to music, and helping each other can dramatically lift the spirits of people. So, what do you think made me feel better yesterday? Was it God, or was it simply nice people and social interaction? I believe it was the latter.

Answer 1

Yes, being with friends always does make one feel better. If you ever had a pet, you'd never had asked this question. Check this cartoon out:

http://picayune.uclick.com/comics/ch/1986/ch861208.gif

I have two cats, and my wife has had dogs in the past. Both of us love it when they curl up next to you and let you pet them. They purr and there's exactly the kind of feeling that you were talking about. After we'd seen this cartoon, we started calling it fuzz therapy.

Really nice. Take a star.

Answer 2

does it matter if it was the direct Spirit of God filling you or if it was God working through the people around you or if it was just a surge of neuro-chemicals initiated by the pleasant setting?
you felt better.

for the record, I am a psychology major & a Christian. I attend a church where I agree w/much of the teachings, and am very much aware of how "the show is put on" and how times of fellowship and worship music influence the minds of people. I do not, for the most part, get any enjoyment out of the fellowship, and often the worship music is not to my taste, but I still am able to focus within and find a sense of peace that was unknown to me before becoming a Christian.

Answer 3

I agree, it was probably the latter. That's why people like to hang around the kind of churches typically called "seeker sensitive." They give them a nice warm feeling without any need to actually repent and accept Jesus as Savior and Lord of their lives.

On the other hand, real conversion is something entirely different from nice, fuzzy feelings. It's not something nice feeling: it makes you come to a point of despair over your own sinfulness and cry out for God's mercy. Getting your spirit lifted has nothing to do with it.

I'd be glad to talk to you more about what Christianity really is - as opposed to what atheists (even those with an ostensibly "Christian" background) think it is. Contact me directly if interested.

Answer 4

I strongly believe it was God. I could be having an ok or even a bad day but as soon as I step into Church and engage in fellowship with others I feel like a completely different person!!! I get very emotional in church sometimes to the point that I even have tears in my eyes. Being in God's house and praising him is a very joyous experience and you can definitely feel the love of Jesus. I believe that's what you were feeling. May God Bless you and help you to get to know him!!!!

Answer 5

Bible says 'God made Man in His feature'. Vedanta says 'You are Him'. All the Saints believed that God is in the Nature. When a person is among good group, he is with God! A positive vibration cures all which is called the White Spirit. Jesus says God will be in us if this body is as pure as the Temple. So we should always be connected to a good place of prayer and worship to keep ourself high and talk of similarities only.

Answer 6

This is what I believe: I believe that God created each one of us so we are all a piece of God and/or 'little gods.' So when we minister to one another, we are in essence helping ourselves because we are all one. So when you are sad and depressed, others can sense it and our natural response is to make others feel better. Whether you believe in God or not doesn't really matter. He created everything, so do you think you can really offend God? God made us so he could experience through us. I think it is great that they lifted your spirits. Blessings on your journey **hugs**

If you really want to be inspired read Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. It's not a Christian book, but a book for the soul. Really, really inspiring.

Answer 7

Believe what you will. Before God can help you achieve peace, you must first accept that God exists. If you do not accept this, then just accept that you had a nice time with all these nice folks and let it go at that.

Answer 8

You say, "So, what do you think made me feel better yesterday? Was it God, or was it simply nice people and social interaction? I believe it was the latter."

Does it really matter???

I am an Atheist and I support your right to feel better. If it means believing in Humpty Dumpty, Little Red Riding Hood, or God. Take the good feelings and enjoy them.

Answer 9

Give the church an imaginary check and pray that they get a real one, God works in mysterios ways, amen

Answer 10

Good positive things will always make us feel better. As far as it being the spirit of God...that is another subject for another day.