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RE: The need to believe?
July 22, 2017 at 2:58 pm
(July 22, 2017 at 2:04 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: Woke up today with an almost automatic way of looking at the new day - wanting to thank God for the new day. I guess old habits will die hard with this change. But, I changed the wording, and just greeted the new day, with some positive reflections. I'm one of those types that likes to meditate for a bit in the morning when waking up to bring on the new day. It just was always a homage to God up until recently. There's still that pit in my stomach that I'm doing something ''wrong,'' and I wonder when that will go away. Gah, I shouldn't feel guilty. :/
I've heard apologists challenge whether atheists can feel thankfulness, after all who is it we would thank? But that is just ridiculous. Appreciation is a good mindset for anyone, regardless of religious status. Hell, I feel appreciation for my health, especially for my hyper-extended knee finally healing. I also feel appreciation when something creative comes out well and when poise and clarity of mind stay with me in a public speaking situation. In general, where something is not taken completely for granted, appreciation is warranted. And yes, I also am appreciative for new insight and understanding, and am appreciative for what I get.
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RE: The need to believe?
July 22, 2017 at 3:02 pm
(July 22, 2017 at 2:04 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: Woke up today with an almost automatic way of looking at the new day - wanting to thank God for the new day. I guess old habits will die hard with this change. But, I changed the wording, and just greeted the new day, with some positive reflections. I'm one of those types that likes to meditate for a bit in the morning when waking up to bring on the new day. It just was always a homage to God up until recently. There's still that pit in my stomach that I'm doing something ''wrong,'' and I wonder when that will go away. Gah, I shouldn't feel guilty. :/ Many people use meditative techniques to help them cope with the stresses and strains of day-to-day life, atheist or not. There's plenty right about having positive affirmations and personal mantra to keep you psychologically secure. It's religion that's co-opted this totally normal, human need, not you falling for some priestly prank. If it works for you then own it, take it back from those who would seek to control you by undermining your sense of self worth.
You're doing fine.
Sum ergo sum
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 12:51 pm
I've had a good week. Some days are totally resolved, others not. I'm glad I came back here and there's other atheist forums I joined a few years ago, that I made my way back to. I don't want to worry over this anymore, life has enough stress without adding to it. I hope everyone is doing well, here.
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 12:55 pm
(July 8, 2017 at 8:02 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: I felt almost two years ago, like I had an actual spiritual experience, and now I wonder...was I creating that experience because I've missed the emotional comfort that faith brought to me? And looking back, there likely was a logical explanation for what happened ut I applied a supernatural answer to it.
Deidre, if I may ask, what was this experience? I promise to give you my objective opinion on it, whether it was likely to have had a logical explanation or not. 
"Of course, everyone will claim they respect someone who tries to speak the truth, but in reality, this is a rare quality. Most respect those who speak truths they agree with, and their respect for the speaking only extends as far as their realm of personal agreement. It is less common, almost to the point of becoming a saintly virtue, that someone truly respects and loves the truth seeker, even when their conclusions differ wildly."
-walsh
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 1:42 pm
(This post was last modified: July 29, 2017 at 1:43 pm by *Deidre*.)
(July 29, 2017 at 12:55 pm)Catholic_Lady Wrote: (July 8, 2017 at 8:02 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: I felt almost two years ago, like I had an actual spiritual experience, and now I wonder...was I creating that experience because I've missed the emotional comfort that faith brought to me? And looking back, there likely was a logical explanation for what happened ut I applied a supernatural answer to it.
Deidre, if I may ask, what was this experience? I promise to give you my objective opinion on it, whether it was likely to have had a logical explanation or not.
Hi CL -
This was during the same year that my grandmother died, 2015 - like about 8 months after, and I had been struggling with atheism. I was searching into other religions, aside from Christianity. I wasn't practicing any one particular faith. One day, I felt like the ''Holy Spirit'' was in the room with me. I just felt this overwhelming sense of peace and joy, and it felt like an actual breeze or wind had come through the room. I know it might sound crazy, but I googled this, and people have ''reported'' incidents of having these same types of feelings and chalked it up to a Holy Spirit experience. There are more details than this, but that is the gist, and I think I made the leap to faith, because I was identifying as an atheist then. Became rather indifferent after searching for answers in other faiths after my grandmother's death, so I just resigned myself to the fact that okay, I'm okay with there being no god. But, a few months back into faith, I logically didn't believe the Bible, and still almost felt like I was being intellectually dishonest. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and this is where I'm at with it.
I read something recently about religion/faith, and how there is a scientific explanation as to how our brains tend to bring about a desired effect, so perhaps I was searching for something more to exist, and maybe I just was having a great day in general, and applied faith to the moment. Supposedly, there is a scientific explanation for what we think should happen from faith, and it actually happening, and our minds draw conclusions that there is no logical explanation, it had to be a faith ‘’experience.’’ Or a miracle of some type. But, it felt real back then, when it happened. 
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 3:37 pm
I feel like I don't belong on here anymore, like I'm not welcome.  Idk. Just a feeling I get. I don't feel this way on another atheist forum I had joined and returned to, but it just feels that way here.
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 3:40 pm
(This post was last modified: July 29, 2017 at 3:59 pm by Silver.)
(July 29, 2017 at 3:37 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: I feel like I don't belong on here anymore, like I'm not welcome. Idk. Just a feeling I get. I don't feel this way on another atheist forum I had joined and returned to, but it just feels that way here.
I am the type of person, though I may disagree with what you post or your personal beliefs, will deem you a part of the forum community.
I am sorry that you feel unwelcome.
I feel it sometimes, too, but then I realize I am most likely just being paranoid. I may disappear for a few months at a time, but it's usually not due to how I am viewed on this forum. Sometimes, I just need a break away, especially since this is the only forum I use.
On what other atheist forum are you?
"Never trust a fox. Looks like a dog, behaves like a cat."
~ Erin Hunter
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 4:03 pm
(July 29, 2017 at 3:37 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: I feel like I don't belong on here anymore, like I'm not welcome. Idk. Just a feeling I get. I don't feel this way on another atheist forum I had joined and returned to, but it just feels that way here.
There is nothing about anything you post that doesn't belong on this forum.
You are welcome to stay, as far as I'm concerned.
There is no litmus test that your beliefs have to pass in order to belong here.
You'd believe if you just opened your heart" is a terrible argument for religion. It's basically saying, "If you bias yourself enough, you can convince yourself that this is true." If religion were true, people wouldn't need faith to believe it -- it would be supported by good evidence.
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 4:09 pm
Thank you for saying that, Simon and Lutrinae.
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RE: The need to believe?
July 29, 2017 at 5:03 pm
(July 29, 2017 at 3:37 pm)*Deidre* Wrote: I feel like I don't belong on here anymore, like I'm not welcome. Idk. Just a feeling I get. I don't feel this way on another atheist forum I had joined and returned to, but it just feels that way here.
I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully no one has been rude to you. My sense is you are well liked and respected. Hope you know it makes no difference to me whether you do or don't believe in religious stuff, you're still a thoughtful and considerate person. A OK in my book.
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