i had been feeling really blue for a couple weeks and the other night i was at my wits end and finally i said god just make this go away....then the next morning i felt so much better. i consider myself an atheist and i'm not sure why i prayed....was this god or the placebo effect.....either way i feel a lot better
2007-10-23 15:27:48 · 12 answers · asked by I'm afraid of Virginia Woolf 5 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Its the power of your mind wanting it to be over. The mind will evenutally fix it self- unless there's a mental illness or chemical imbalance.
If you really were an Atheist your views could not be shaken so easily. As an Atheist I know that the mind is an amazing organ. It can create hallucinations and dreams as well as releasing dopamine and seratonine to make you feel better. There is no miracle there, just science.
I wonder if any of the millions of people dying in the 3rd world cry out to a god(s) - hoping it will take away their pain and suffering? So he'll make your blues go away and allow them to die at the same time? Ugh.
2007-10-24 09:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by LottieD 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
neither. the mind has great power to affect our physical and psychological health. calling that power a "placebo" denigrates the power of the mind. If talking or praying to god makes you feel better, fine. I believe that many people have internal monologues which control our feelings and behavior. You can learn to rewrite those tapes. Personally, I grew up in a very negative family, where emotions and ambitions were squelched. It took a long time to unlearn those lessons I learned as a child and be able to embrace my emotions and fulfill my ambitions. No "placebo" effect was involved. But, I don't believe God helped me... I believe I became more aware of my true nature and allowed myself to grow.
2007-10-23 15:38:53 · answer #2 · answered by A Plague on your houses 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Whether you consider it God or the placebo affect, it makes no difference, you are getting in touch with the real Power. Be bold and ask for what you want, not only frequently, but all the time. You will not be disappointed. You have touched on the secret of having anything you want.
2007-10-23 15:48:07 · answer #3 · answered by stedyedy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could have been the placebo effect, but as a Christian I'd have to say I think God is reaching out to you. Why don't you investigate it by reading His Word and seeing if it speaks to you? Maybe you even know someone you trust who is a Christian who will discuss what you read about. Most people reccommend you start with the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, or with Acts.
2007-10-23 15:32:41 · answer #4 · answered by Rebeckah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i consider myself more spiritual than religious (so cliche) and yet, whenever I have to take a long roadtrip, I pray for a safe journey, and that I don't get pulled over. Then I knock on wood just in case. The other day, though, I had to drive up Shelburne Rd in South Burlington VT, and that road is always packed. I prayed to god to get the traffic out of my way because I didn't want to deal with it, and I was in a hurry. Wouldn't you know it, I have never gotten down that road so fast in my life. Miracle? Divine intervention? Who knows, but it won't stop me praying for little miracles like that.
2007-10-23 15:33:09 · answer #5 · answered by montgomery 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have opened a door to a part of your humanity, that has been denied until now.
I would suggest that you are not an atheist, you have a problem with organized religion.
I think their are three parts to a human. Physical, intellectual, and spiritual. If these are not balanced, then we become disoriented. Anxiety is the result of this disorientation.
I of course do not have, or wish to have the prerogative to tell you what to believe or not to believe, I would suggest that you investigate your spirituality, so much has been written on the subject. Reincarnation The Second Chance, is a book that gave me answers, that my mind excepts.
2007-10-23 16:01:03 · answer #6 · answered by All-One 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a matter of personal choice. I'd call it God, but if you don't believe in God then it's not an option. Some people think God is only a state of mind. Really, no one else can answer that question for you.
2007-10-23 15:31:30 · answer #7 · answered by Hannah Jean 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God
2007-10-24 03:10:40 · answer #8 · answered by Susas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
more than likely a placebo effect, i mean if god can make your day better then why is everyone in the world unhappy and diing of starvation, i think god has more important things to do, no offense.
2007-10-23 15:31:33 · answer #9 · answered by Kid Zero 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Placebo. The power of prayer has been clinically tested with control groups added for good measure. The result? Prayer doesn't work. If it did, why not pray for a cure for cancer or restoring an amputee's legs?
2007-10-23 15:31:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋