(May 16, 2023 at 10:16 pm)Astreja Wrote:(May 16, 2023 at 6:43 pm)KerimF Wrote: Where is the problem? It seems, in this respect, you are one of the rare fortunate persons in the world. Be happy
The problem is not my relative level of fortune or misfortune, but the way that you're using terminology. You appear to be equivocating between prayer and people talking to themselves, and omitting the critical element that makes something a prayer: A belief that a supernatural being is listening. This is why atheists don't pray - we're not deliberately addressing our words to a supernatural being.
Now, I see better what you mean. Thank you.
In fact, what you say about how all formal theists (Pagans, Muslims, Jews and the formal Christians) are supposed to pray is very true.
None of them is supposed to take seriously what Jesus says about it, like:
"... use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking."
and
"... thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men."
Isn't surprising that an atheist agrees, though without his knowledge, with Jesus in this while almost all Christians in the world disagree with him?!
This reminds me how, when I was a kid, I had to repeat certain prayers in every Sunday's Mass, every week (besides holidays), otherwise I would be seen as being a serious sinner
Therefore, I became a big sinner in my community when I discovered that the real prayer is strictly a personal matter which I do it in my own way only and in private whenever necessary (sorry, it happens that I started perceiving in my being, since I was about 14, more than my mortal living body. But it is just me. So, I also understand that someone may perceive he has a living body only. Therefore, he has no choice but being guided by its pre-programmed instincts in his various decisions).
