Do you pray?

[bill-pix-trade]

No.

Prayer is what people do who don't actually want to do anything constructive.

"I'm praying for you!" is so much easier than actually doing something helpful for someone, and takes care of that Christian guilt problem.

I do not agree. I don't think all people pray out of guilt.

 

[julybaby04]

I do not agree. I don't think all people pray out of guilt.

I could not disagree more. Is there guilt in thanking God for a beautiful day? Is there guilt in hearing good news about a successful surgery for a friend? Is there guilt at the birth of a new baby? Is there guilt over getting a new job? Is there guilt over a good thing happening to a child?

Nope. Those are celebrations!

Is there guilt when a love one passes away? Is there guilt when asking for guidance in a life situation? Nope.

The only guilt is when sin is committed and repentance is sought. Those prayers are also needed as well.

Prayers serve a vast difference. Perhaps for those who do not know the Lord, all are seen as guilt, but for those who do, prayer is a welcome part of life.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

Nor do I, but I do believe they're deluded. If it makes them feel better, so be it but that's all it does.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

I could not disagree more. Is there guilt in thanking God for a beautiful day? Is there guilt in hearing good news about a successful surgery for a friend? Is there guilt at the birth of a new baby? Is there guilt over getting a new job? Is there guilt over a good thing happening to a child?

Nope. Those are celebrations!

Is there guilt when a love one passes away? Is there guilt when asking for guidance in a life situation? Nope.

The only guilt is when sin is committed and repentance is sought. Those prayers are also needed as well.

Prayers serve a vast difference. Perhaps for those who do not know the Lord, all are seen as guilt, but for those who do, prayer is a welcome part of life.

AHHHHHHHHHHHH did you read what I wrote?

Read it again CLOSELY THIS TIME

You are preaching to the wrong person.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

Nor do I, but I do believe they're deluded. If it makes them feel better, so be it but that's all it does.

I am not a prayer, but I am not going to judge how prayers help. It's not my place.

 

[girlsmiley]

Repent! Lol.

I don't 'pray', but I think of people.

I hope that person is ok. I hope she gets better etc.

It's pretty much the same thing.

I remember kbate in my 'prayers.'

 

[Angeline]

Yes. You can call it prayer or intention but as Lou Reed said, you need a busload of faith to get by.

 

[girlsmiley]

Nor do I, but I do believe they're deluded. If it makes them feel better, so be it but that's all it does.

Don't you think it's a bit of a dog act to start a thread asking people whether they pray or not, just to turn around and say to the people who do that they are deluded and all that prayers are for is to make the person praying "feel better"?

You're nasty.

 

[cleaver]

depends entirely upon what one considers prayer....?

do i focus upon a supreme and unload my wishes and woe?
no.

do i allow my accumulated wonder
to flow outward into the nether
seeking clarities
or perspective
or lightning like, dendritic resolution?

yes, then...
all the time...

there is generally a clarity in the unburdening;
even if only momentarily...

prayer, to me, is a release... in search of better perspective.
it is a re-sorting of dross.
it is an acknowledgement that all cannot be kept always within.
it is a walking of the dogs.
it is a bath.
it is an indulgeance enabled by... continuing the struggle to live...

is it a grocery list?
no.
it's an affirmation...
the black box ping from our personal airbus...

 

[Beco]

When we form heart-centered beliefs within our bodies, in the language of physics we're creating the electrical and magnetic expression of them as waves of energy, which aren't confined to our hearts or limited by the physical barrier of our skin and bones. So clearly we're "speaking" to the world around us in each moment of every day through a language that has no words: the belief-waves of our hearts.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

When we form heart-centered beliefs within our bodies, in the language of physics we're creating the electrical and magnetic expression of them as waves of energy, which aren't confined to our hearts or limited by the physical barrier of our skin and bones. So clearly we're "speaking" to the world around us in each moment of every day through a language that has no words: the belief-waves of our hearts.

Sure. Why not?

Positive energy never hurts.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

I don't believe that there is a God. Not too hard to piece together from what I post. That said, I pray all the time (where 'all the time' is defined the same way my ex-wife referred to how often we had sex).

So why does an Atheist pray? I believe fundamentally that all living things are connected. I think that consciousness is a unique and precious thing that is only enjoyed for the briefest of time. So I want to feel connected to everything there ever was and everything that there ever will be for as long as I am able to connect.

So I pray.

I pray mostly to my grandfather. The kindest and most gentle man I have ever met. I sort of ask him to put in a good word. I pray to win the lottery. I pray to let Spring come. I pray that I am making good decisions. The last time I prayed and had the gall to actually try and cut a deal? I prayed that my divorce judge would be a fair and honest person. That prayer was answered.

I suppose I fall more on the side that "we're creating the electrical and magnetic expression" of ourselves. Or maybe that is my way of saying 'eventually we'll figure it out'. Which we will. But the fact that we can figure it out. It is what keeps me praying.

TMI?

 

[Liar]

I meditate to embrace the entropy, triage my energy and assess the length of my arms.

Serenity Prayer without a sky ghost, if you will.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

Don't you think it's a bit of a dog act to start a thread asking people whether they pray or not, just to turn around and say to the people who do that they are deluded and all that prayers are for is to make the person praying "feel better"?

You're nasty.

Yep.


Ever heard of discussion? Opinion? Theory?

 

[girlsmiley]

Yep.


Ever heard of discussion? Opinion? Theory?

Yes, of course. Why do you ask?

 

[Fuckette]

Prayer of the Selfish Child

Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord my soul to keep,

And if I die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my toys to break.

So none of the other kids can use ‘em. . . .

Amen.

~Shel Silverstein

 

[bill-pix-trade]

I don't believe that there is a God. Not too hard to piece together from what I post. That said, I pray all the time (where 'all the time' is defined the same way my ex-wife referred to how often we had sex).

So why does an Atheist pray? I believe fundamentally that all living things are connected. I think that consciousness is a unique and precious thing that is only enjoyed for the briefest of time. So I want to feel connected to everything there ever was and everything that there ever will be for as long as I am able to connect.

So I pray.

I pray mostly to my grandfather. The kindest and most gentle man I have ever met. I sort of ask him to put in a good word. I pray to win the lottery. I pray to let Spring come. I pray that I am making good decisions. The last time I prayed and had the gall to actually try and cut a deal? I prayed that my divorce judge would be a fair and honest person. That prayer was answered.

I suppose I fall more on the side that "we're creating the electrical and magnetic expression" of ourselves. Or maybe that is my way of saying 'eventually we'll figure it out'. Which we will. But the fact that we can figure it out. It is what keeps me praying.

TMI?

Cool. It makes you feel good so do it. No harm no foul.

 

[otterpop55]

If you don't believe in prayer you can simply view it as a form of meditation. Closing your eyes, voicing your needs and thanks. Taking a second or two to "center" yourself then moving on.

 

[bill-pix-trade]

If you don't believe in prayer you can simply view it as a form of meditation. Closing your eyes, voicing your needs and thanks. Taking a second or two to "center" yourself then moving on.

I agree
Or you can just let people pray and admit that you don't understand them and move on.

 

[StrangeLife]

If you don't believe in prayer you can simply view it as a form of meditation.

Or hedging your bets. Even if you don't believe in God, what if he turns out to be real? It doesn't cost you anything to mumble a few hallelujahs once in a while and then you have all eventualities covered...