Prayers

Fosterdog

Judi wrote: »

The OP has obviously got a great deal of faith. I am coming at her question from a Christian view point.

Yes and I'm coming at it from an atheist point of view, I have had many challenges in my life but I have got through them without the need for a god of any description. The OP is struggling with her faith and I'm just saying that there are other ways of dealing with life, if faith is not working then try something else.

I have tried both, I was raised christian and went to chapel every week for sunday school as a child and my father still attends, my grandfather was a minister, my grandmother was a church organist. I have had religion rammed down my throat from a young age, I have read the bible and I came out of it all as an atheist. I can 100% honestly say my life is better without religion.

Can you say that you have given both a try or are you coming from a completely biased and brainwashed angle? Even if you haven't always been as religious have you ever actually tried to live your life as an atheist for any length of time?

marisco_2

Fosterdog wrote: »

YOU are the only one in control of your life and by leaving everything to god you are copping out of having to take action for your own happiness

Totally agree. Sometimes life throws situations at people that require them to use logic and to develop strategies to work through difficult times. If you back out of this and think issues can be solved by praying to god, then you don't give yourself a chance to be self reliant or to strengthen your resilience. You are simply setting yourself up for a fall by expecting guidance or to be shown the way and then unsurprisingly not receiving it.

Dunroamin

marisco wrote: »

Totally agree. Sometimes life throws situations at people that require them to use logic and to develop strategies to work through difficult times. If you back out of this and think issues can be solved by praying to god, then you don't give yourself a chance to be self reliant and strengthening your resilience. You are simply setting yourself up for a fall by expecting guidance or to be shown the way and then unsurprisingly not receiving it.

You could be praying for help in "using logic and developing stategies".

Are you as negative about people seeing a counsellor or asking for help on MSE?

heartbreak_star

Fosterdog wrote: »

Harry Potter


It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.— Albus Dumbledore


It takes much bravery to stand up to our enemies but we need as much bravery to stand up to our friends.— Albus Dumbledore

These are two of my favourite quotes from any book ever. Sometimes the things that make you think are found in the oddest places!

Another couple of Potter quotes that made me think are:

"You fail to recognize that it doesn't matter what someone is born but what they grow up to be" - Albus Dumbledore.

and

"If you want to know what a man's like take a look at how he treats his inferiors not his equals" - Sirius Black

I like to think that Rowling was trying to put forward some messages about being thoughtful, doing the right thing and generally growing up to be good people to her readers.

Totally off-topic, but it certainly does show that many books can be inspirational not just religious texts.

HBS x

Fosterdog

heartbreak_star wrote: »

Totally off-topic, but it certainly does show that many books can be inspirational not just religious texts.

HBS x

Exactly my point, and probably exactly what JK Rowling was trying to do when writing the books.

System

Can you say that you have given both a try or are you coming from a completely biased and brainwashed angle? Even if you haven't always been as religious have you ever actually tried to live your life as an atheist for any length of time?

Sorry is that comment aimed at me or the OP?

marisco_2

Dunroamin wrote: »

You could be praying for help in "using logic and developing stategies".

Are you as negative about people seeing a counsellor or asking for help on MSE?

Yes someone could pray for help to use logic and develop strategies. They aren't going to get an answer though are they! They are basically sending up thoughts and questions to something that has never been proven to exist. As an atheist praying equates to talking to thin air as far as I am concerned. Not a constructive way to seek help at all.

If you read another post of mine further up the thread you will see that I recommended that the OP did see a counsellor. A person in the flesh, especially trained to guide and help develop strengths in people to enable them to deal with life's troubles. I am also far from being negative about people seeking help from folk on MSE. I wouldn't come onto this forum and read and give advice if I felt negatively about people obtaining views and opinions in this manner.

peachyprice

heartbreak_star wrote: »

These are two of my favourite quotes from any book ever. Sometimes the things that make you think are found in the oddest places!

Another couple of Potter quotes that made me think are:

"You fail to recognize that it doesn't matter what someone is born but what they grow up to be" - Albus Dumbledore.

and

"If you want to know what a man's like take a look at how he treats his inferiors not his equals" - Sirius Black

I like to think that Rowling was trying to put forward some messages about being thoughtful, doing the right thing and generally growing up to be good people to her readers.

Totally off-topic, but it certainly does show that many books can be inspirational not just religious texts.

HBS x

I've often wondered if, in say 2000 years, a copy of the Philosophers Stone will be unearthed and read as truth, HP will be seen as the Messiah, JKR as god and they will all worship at the church of Hogwarts.

Sound familar?

Fosterdog

Judi wrote: »

Sorry is that comment aimed at me or the OP?

The question was mostly aimed at you but there's nothing stopping others from giving their views or experiences if they want to. Of course you don't have to answer if you don't want to I'm just generally curious and like to understand why people believe what they believe.

marisco_2

peachyprice wrote: »

I've often wondered if, in say 2000 years, a copy of the Philosophers Stone will be unearthed and read as truth, HP will be seen as the Messiah, JKR as god and they will all worship at the church of Hogwarts.

Sound familar?

I bet far less wars or political divisions would be caused by it too