Getting religious

[NothingSacred]

New atheists... Do you ever find yourself reaching back for your religion or other superstitions you've let go of when facing situations you can't control? The reason I ask is because tofay I had a job interview and I found myself thinking and feeling god is going to get me through this and get me the job. As soon as I walked into the door I thought to myself wait a minute the only thing that could help me get this job is to calm down represent myself well and display my knowledge. It made me realize that if I thought a supernatural being would give me the job I may not have calmed down and thought clearly enough to get through the interview. I would have assumed I had it in the bag. Did I get the job I don't know but I felt it went well and they want to meet with me again friday. Anywho, just wondering....

[zerofivetwoseven]

I take particular sayings of Jesus and find that they are as relevant and true today as ever. What is important here is not who they are attributed to, but their validity.  

Love your enemy - if you do, then he becomes your friend and neither of you has hate in your heart.

Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone - obviously I don't believe in the concept of sin, but that is irrelevant. Jesus is suggesting that no one has the moral authority to judge others since we are all imperfect.

The Parable Of The Good Samaritan - sometimes the people who help you in life are those you least expect and vice-versa.

The Parable Of The Lost Talents - don't waste or suppress any skill you have  - use it to the best of your ability.

The first two form my moral foundation. This is how I conduct myself. The world would be an infinitely better place if we all strived to do this.

[Martin TK]

I take particular sayings of Jesus and find that they are as relevant and true today as ever. What is important here is not who they are attributed to, but their validity.  

Love your enemy - if you do, then he becomes your friend and neither of you has hate in your heart.

Let ye who is without sin cast the first stone - obviously I don't believe in the concept of sin, but that is irrelevant. Jesus is suggesting that no one has the moral authority to judge others since we are all imperfect.

The Parable Of The Good Samaritan - sometimes the people who help you in life are those you least expect and vice-versa.

The Parable Of The Lost Talents - don't waste or suppress any skill you have  - use it to the best of your ability.

The first two form my moral foundation. This is how I conduct myself. The world would be an infinitely better place if we all strived to do this.

Those are just attributed to the Mythical Jesus, and actually have a basis in much older traditions.  There are many other sayings that are not religious that are just as motivating.  I'd look them up, but I don't have time right now.

[Tank]

There are lots of wise words in the Bible. Thomas Jefferson scraped off the superstition gave it a rinse and produced this

[_7654_]

for me, no, i just dropped everything even remotely related to it. It is mostly useless superstition, the rest of the stuff, deemed maybe useful, can be had from less contaminated sources. And i think you did well, by rejecting the notion that a nonexistent supernatural being would actually do anything to help or hinder your attempts at getting a job. Just collect yourself confidence, concentrate your knowledge and experience and perform a calm and concise presentation.

[Martin TK]

There are lots of wise words in the Bible. Thomas Jefferson scraped off the superstition gave it a rinse and produced this

I look at the bible strictly as a piece of literature, and read it as fiction, when I read it.  I've read it several times, but it's hard to plow through, and so much of it is just garbage.  I agree that there are nugets of goodness within, but the atrocities always make me discount anything good, so it's a wash out for me.

[wildfire_emissary]

It gets to me sometimes, especially in World War III moments of my life. But I immediately realize that being in that WWIII situation in the first place entails I should not expect help from someone up there who had the power to prevent the situation from arising. Clearly, religion and superstition, as applied to your case, is merely placebo.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Every so often I'll find myself thinking, "hey, you old bastard, if you're up there ... " and then laugh at myself.  Old habits die hard, don't sweat it.

[JustAJ]

I started refering to myself as an atheist about 3 months ago or some thing like that and hadn't really thought about it much but 2 days ago I had a friend of mine get lost while tubing in a river (and hasn't been found yet). And a was talking to his sister (also a good friend) trying to comfort her and several times I almost offered to pray for her and stopped myself.  I did end up praying for him figureing it wouldn't hurt anything. Thinking back I still think it was useless but she prayed with me and if nothing elce it helped her.

[pinkocommie]

I started refering to myself as an atheist about 3 months ago or some thing like that and hadn't really thought about it much but 2 days ago I had a friend of mine get lost while tubing in a river (and hasn't been found yet). And a was talking to his sister (also a good friend) trying to comfort her and several times I almost offered to pray for her and stopped myself.  I did end up praying for him figureing it wouldn't hurt anything. Thinking back I still think it was useless but she prayed with me and if nothing elce it helped her.

I hope your friend is OK.    I've stood respectfully with people as they prayed because I wanted them to feel comforted and to support them.  I don't see anything wrong with that.  There's a time and a place for taking a stand and then there's times when I think it's better just to let people do their thing, even if I think their choice of thing is silly.

[Tank]

I started refering to myself as an atheist about 3 months ago or some thing like that and hadn't really thought about it much but 2 days ago I had a friend of mine get lost while tubing in a river (and hasn't been found yet). And a was talking to his sister (also a good friend) trying to comfort her and several times I almost offered to pray for her and stopped myself.  I did end up praying for him figureing it wouldn't hurt anything. Thinking back I still think it was useless but she prayed with me and if nothing elce it helped her.

I hope your friend is found safe and well.

The subject of comfort and the roll of prayer in comfort is a subject close to my heart and one that I have seen debated a lot. I know a lady who was diagnosed with breast cancer, she is an atheist. It has been very difficult and stressful to support her for both concerned as there is no higher authority to appeal to and one is totally at the mercy of the vagaries of 'lottery medicine' (the treatments are not guaranteed). One can do nothing practical to alleviate the core problem, in your case the lost friend in my case remove the cancerous cells.

I understand the issue of supporting a friend without the comfort blanket of religion, but I am nowhere near offering even a partial solution. I do agree that moments like this are probably not one where one should attempt to take away a persons comfort blanket.

[deekayfry]

I started refering to myself as an atheist about 3 months ago or some thing like that and hadn't really thought about it much but 2 days ago I had a friend of mine get lost while tubing in a river (and hasn't been found yet). And a was talking to his sister (also a good friend) trying to comfort her and several times I almost offered to pray for her and stopped myself.  I did end up praying for him figureing it wouldn't hurt anything. Thinking back I still think it was useless but she prayed with me and if nothing elce it helped her.

that hits too close to home, as I love floating down river...

I am so saddened and sorry to hear of it.  I often say in place of, "I will pray for you" I say, "I will keep you in my thoughts."

Yeah, every now and then I say prayer too because I know it is the sentiment that helps rather than whatever form it takes.  I want the person's comfort and knowing that someone cares.  It doesn't matter if it is "thoughts" or "prayers" or "belief" or "no belief."

My thoughts go out to you, your friend, and his sister.

[JustAJ]

They found his body today and I used the "keep you in my thoughts " line and I think it surprised her.  

She mentioned him going to heaven and I said mabye.  I'm pretty sure she took it like he might go to hell...

[Tank]

They found his body today and I used the "keep you in my thoughts " line and I think it surprised her.  

She mentioned him going to heaven and I said mabye.  I'm pretty sure she took it like he might go to hell...

When you first posted about this I thought the chances of finding your friend alive were remote, I'm sorry I was right about that. It's all a bit of shock when this sort of thing happens. At least he died doing something he enjoyed and wanted to do and didn't suffer the pain and debilitation of a chronic disease. I hope his siter can come to terms with his loss.

My condolences to those hurt by this tragic loss.

Sympathy in this time of trouble.
Chris

[notself]

There is no reason to give up prayer just because one is an atheist.  One just eliminates the sky fairy and prays directly for someone or for oneself.  This form is a concentration on an wish, hope or resolution.  Here is an example that I pray all the time.  I start out concentrating on myself and then continue to family, friends, acquaintances and finally to those who p*ss me off.  Right now I am "praying" for Rush Limbaugh as the representative of the last category.

May Rush be well and happy
May he be safe and free from harm
May he be free from anger and ill will
May he be at peace
May his heart be filled with loving kindness.

This may not help Rush, but it certainly helps me.