Surge in religious people?

[Cheyenne]

I have always been a Christian, and not afraid to say so here. But it has sometimes not been a popular position, even though I try to stay away from the religious argument threads. To me it seems like this board has always been dominated by atheists; agnostics; pagans; people who were brought up Christian, but left their faith somewhere along the way.

Since Tuesday, it seems like there are a lot more people who pray on this board. Have most of them just been silent before this week? Or is there a genuine realization by some of them that they really do believe in God, and they are religious after all?

I really am curious. No flaming, please. I'd like to learn if this tragic event has had a positive influence in bringing people back to God, or not.

 

[Shylady]

I for one have always been a Christian, I have stayed quiet because I am not here to argue, but to have a little fun. I have never been afraid to state my beliefs and the people that have gotten to know me better know what I beleive. If you ask me, I will always tell you, Christ is Lord in my life.

Since this happened tuesday I too have seen people talking about prayer more openly. I don't know the answer to your question Cheyenne but I have noticed the same thing you have.

Also II Chronicles 7:14 says "if My people, who are called by My name,will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and will turn from thier wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and heal their land."

So I will openly say I am praying more than ever, asking God to have mercy on America.

 

[SoftPeaches]

I have always been a member of the Christian faith; however, not always a part of organized religion. Organized religion makes me suspicious. Fundamentalist of any religion scare me. My faith is for my own personal strength, and I try to keep it fairly personal.
Prayer is very powerful, especially in a self-fulfilling way, and during times of great strife, it is perhaps one of the only ways to find comfort.

 

[Mischka]

I have always been a Christian, and not afraid to say so here.

For atheists and pagans, I believe it is easier to discuss their (lack of) beliefs in the anonymity of the internet than in the harsh light of the real world. Most people here, as in real life, are religious to some extent, and as this site is English speaking, most people here will be of a Christian persuasion.

Religion is a source of comfort on so many levels. When a massive, almost uncomprehensible, tragedy occurs, religion helps people sort out their feelings and cope with the senselessness of it all. I don't find anyone's behavior out of character or in conflict with their usual selves. Nothing this past week has been usual, and people are naturally drawn to what gives them comfort. For most people, that is a sense of spiritualism and faith in a greater good.

I am an atheist, and this past week, even I wished I had the faith to pray. I feel that much more helpless because all I can donate is my blood and my money. I have never felt a sense of faith (despite growing up in a loving Christian household), and especially in times like this I wish I could feel the comfort that religion holds. If this week had helped anyone reconnect with their religion, then I sincerely wish them the best.

 

[april-wine]

though i don't feel the need to sit in a church, to express my faith i do have it....and days like tuesday sept. 11, bring faith to the surface....praying, helps me heal, and all of us need healing....

 

[cymbidia]

I am agnostic.

This week i've been just a little envious of the people who have the comfort of prayer to their version a Supreme Being.

However, for me, in the end - as always - i cannot surrender my *self* to thoughts of something that may or may not exist. Prayer has a place, i suppose, but for me it's always seemed a place of last resort for people who can't figure out anything else to do, any other way to affect the outcome of what's happening to them. I've seen far too many fair-weather Christians (and those of other religions, too, but mostly Christians since i've always lived in the U.S. and here it's the dominant religion) try very hard to screw people six days a week and go to church faithfully on that seventh day, sure of thier salvation cuz of that attendence, you know?

I guess i sometimes send my thoughts, hopes, wishes, and feverent entreaties out into the universe, hoping they reach the universal mind i imagine cradles all intelligent life, past and present. That's about as close to prayer as i get.

I trust in people to do right, to do good. That's my true religion, i suppose.

 

[Guest]

Yes...

I was baptized, confirmed, and ordained as an Elder in the Presbyterian (Christian) church, and yes I identify myself more as a Pagan. (Though I really don't care much for lables.) I have prayed to both the Christian God and to the Pagan Tripple Goddess several times. I even own a copy of the Holy Bible, the Good News Bible (that was given to me by my church when I was confirmed at 12), the Koran, and the Witches Bible Complete. I even make the sign of the cross after almost every time I pray. But, I am more of a spiritual person than I am religious. I have taken bits and pieces of various religions that hold something dear to me into myself and my life.

I didn't JUST start to take a liking to prayer since Sept. 11th. Yes, I've been visitng my Presbyterian church more since last Tuesday, but that is because it is the only structure I actually belong to.

 

[Angel]

I was brought up Roman Catholic, switched myself over to Paganism and lately been leaning far, far over to complete Atheism.

Tuesday didn't cause me to go back to anything spiritual at all. I still hold my beliefs, and they're still very strong. I've not questioned them at all.

I have however felt more than left out during all of the candlelight ceremonies, and memorials and such that I have attended since Tuesday. Not that it bothered me, but it seemed to bother others where I was that I did not pray, or that I left the word *God* out of the Pledge.

Oh well.

 

[lavender]

 

[registered "^^"]

Hence the term: "There are no atheists in foxholes"

 

[Mischka]

Hence the term: "There are no atheists in foxholes"

You didn't even bother to read the atheists' posts, did you?

 

[registered "^^"]

NOOOOOOOO

I've been in the foxhole!!!!

 

[Cheyenne]

Hence the term: "There are no atheists in foxholes"

THAT is the quote I've been trying to remember for the last few days! I wanted to include it when I started this thread, but my brain just isn't 100% right now and I couldn't remember it! Thank you.

I'd add that I don't think it applies to all of us who are still here and posting. It would apply to the people who died in those planes, the people who died in the buildings, and the rescue workers who were killed trying to save people. We'll never know how many of them turned to God in their last few moments of life, will we?

 

[Pretty Darkling]

Most pagans believe in (a) higher power
and most pagans pray.
Christians don't have a monopoly on Relationships with God, nor do they have a monopoly on prayer.

 

[shadowsource]

The people I know -

are mostly without any faith, and happily so. I would say that most, if not all, feel confirmed in their belief that religion underlies many of the world's greatest crimes, particularly these of the past week. Our talk of religion has consisted of discussions about Islam and reaction to Falwell's hideous statement on Robertson's program. I just saw a worshipper saying on TV that bin Laden was God's way of punishing us from straying from His rules. My response: Shall we exalt bin Laden as God's Holy Messenger?

I say this knowing that Cheyenne's own response to news of Falwell's comment was extremely principled, and made me very happy. I hope that people of all faiths will come to understand that bin Laden is a fanatic, as McVeigh was a fanatic, as the murderers of the Inquisition were fanatics, as Hitler's secular crusaders were fanatics, as the Catholic and Protestant murderers of Dr. Barnett Slevin in Buffalo were fanatics. Bin Laden opposes abortion and the empowerment of women no less than Falwell does. I hope faith makes people feel better, and I respect the choices of others. Thanks again, Cheyenne, for that other post. Words can not describe how vexed NYers were upon hearing of Falwell's comments.

 

[Guest]

Christians don't have a monopoly on Relationships with God, nor do they have a monopoly on prayer.

Thank you.
Goddess Bles one and all.






Mery part.

 

[CelestialBody]

Born and raised Hindu.

 

[morninggirl5]

I've always had my religion as a part of me. Part of my beliefs that are contrary to my Southern Baptist upbringing is that I don't show my religion to others daily. It's there, it's part of me, but I don't feel the need to comment or overtly display it.

I, too avoid most of the religious debates here because they aren't really debates and the chances of anyone really listening to another point of view is practically nil.

 

[Duo]

Exactly

You are so true no-one has a monopoly on God, nor on prayer.

Most pagans believe in (a) higher power
and most pagans pray.
Christians don't have a monopoly on Relationships with God, nor do they have a monopoly on prayer.

Peter

 

[Cheyenne]

Up for the weekday shift.

 

[Samuari]

THAT is the quote I've been trying to remember for the last few days! I wanted to include it when I started this thread, but my brain just isn't 100% right now and I couldn't remember it! Thank you.

I'd add that I don't think it applies to all of us who are still here and posting. It would apply to the people who died in those planes, the people who died in the buildings, and the rescue workers who were killed trying to save people. We'll never know how many of them turned to God in their last few moments of life, will we?

The quote is from C. S. Lewis' Mere Christanity, one of the books that led me back back to Christanity after I gave up being a Southern Babist and wasn't sure what I believed.

 

[Guest]

Re: Born and raised Hindu.