Do you ever "pray"?

Ok, this may seem like a ridiculous question, but I'm curious if anyone else ever does this.

First, let me state that I have never believed in the supernatural, aside from a short time around 9 years old when I saw a movie about Nostradamus that freaked me out so much I don't think I slept for a month

What I'm curious about is this: Sometimes when I am in great pain (suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux mostly) I have thought something along the lines of "If anyone is out there listening, please make my pain go away."

Of course, it's never helped, but I wonder why I even go there. I suspect it is because of growing up around people who pray for help. I know that even if my pain immediately went away I would know that it was not the work of god, so it confuses me why I would do this.

Do any of you occasionally have thoughts like this?

Views: 43

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Logan Grado on July 24, 2010 at 12:51am
Your just covering your bases dude. Nothing to be ashamed of. All evidence suggests that the desire for a god developed from that of imaginary friends and parental figures combined, so you are simply calling out for help. It doesn't really matter if it isn't there. When you were 4, and fell and hurt yourself, did you call for mom even when she couldn't hear you?
Permalink Reply by Blade Of The Bunny on July 24, 2010 at 1:32pm
I like your explanation. I still cry out for my mom even though she's been gone for 17 years.
Permalink Reply by Olga Spelts (Human Bean) on July 24, 2010 at 6:19pm
I dont see anything wrong with it. Its simply your brain trying to reach out. I think it can have positive effects too since its a mental process (either innate or learned) that helps people project outside of themselves to gather strength and focus. I think its different if you believe in God and are doing it in comparison between being an atheist doing it since the latter is keeping things grounded. Self-suggestion can be a bolstering thing as long as people keep it level headed.
Permalink Reply by Grace Fitzpatrick on July 25, 2010 at 12:31am
When my children are hurt or sick, I sometimes do. I know it won't work, but when it comes to my kids, I would move mountains if I thought it might help. I prayed at my dad's funeral I think just out of habit from years of praying in church. Generally, when my kids are not sick, I do not pray and find it rather silly. I have often found getting off my knees and actually doing something works far better than prayer. So if I do happen to pray for my children when they are sick, it is usually on the way to the dr's office or ER.
Permalink Reply by Roy The Infidel on July 25, 2010 at 2:16am
What I'm curious about is this: Sometimes when I am in great pain (suffering from gastro-esophageal reflux mostly) I have thought something along the lines of "If anyone is out there listening, please make my pain go away."

No. I don't pray. Tho I can recall having uttered a line similar to it but with a twist. "If anyone is out there, fuck you!" That helps and makes me feel better. :)
Permalink Reply by Bill on August 28, 2010 at 11:27am
Praying is religious people's way of feeling like they are doing something to solve a problem without actually doing something to solve it.  It's mental masturbation really.

RSS

© 2013   Atheist Nexus. All rights reserved. Admin: Richard Haynes.

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service