"oh god please help me"
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by John Major on -
Arch, do we evolve to do anything? That I implies a purpose. Whose purpose? Aren't all the things we do, including prayer, just a result of evolution? Maybe our appendices will wither away one day, but cognitive development doesn't seem to be headed in that direction and until that time, externalising a guiding figure will probably remain a strong impulse.
-
Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on -
First, My Friend - and I think you know you ARE my friend - YOU were the one who said, "If we've evolved to do it, can't be valueless can it?" which implies that you believe we do.
My premise, is that we evolve certain features, and then explore how many uses we can find for those features. Some of those uses have actual value, some have perceived value, while others have no value whatever, or even negative value, such as drug and alcohol abuse, yet those with self-destructive personalities will attach value to them, which act is actually delusional.
As I mentioned in another comment to June, prayer is a crutch, a perceived value, rather than an actual one, that - imo - retards the development of self-reliance.
As an adult beyond the age of consent, you're of course free to pray all you like, to whomever (or whatever) you like, I'm only saying that it might be mentally healthier if you confined your prayers to Chester, who would likely appreciate the additional attention, and in that way, you EACH receive some actual value from the experience.
-
Permalink Reply by John Major on
-
Arch, you make a good point about self reliance, prayer kicks in when we feel we need a little help. Debating Unseen, for example. It had occurred to me.
Btw. I am your friend. I prayed for it.
-
Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on
-
RE: "prayer kicks in when we feel we need a little help. Debating Unseen, for example" - yes, I can envision it might do him some good, after all, he needs all the help he can get, real OR imaginary.
RE: "I am your friend. I prayed for it." To Chester, I hope --
-
Permalink Reply by Judith van der Roos on -
Good God no ! (whoops!)
-
Permalink Reply by SteveInCO on -
Just say to yourself "Thank God I Am An Atheist" 1000 times and that will be penance for your sin.
-
Permalink Reply by Donald S. Chase on -
Have you ever noticed that the only prayers GOD answers are those of winners and survivors?
-
Permalink Reply by Marc on -
I can't say that I've ever found myself praying in these situations, but I have made some quiet and solemn requests to the doctors and nurses and to dig deep and pull one out of their collective butts for me.
I am guilty of using the phrase 'Oh my god' in astonishment more regularly than I would like.
-
Permalink Reply by June on -
What is the harm in that sort of crutch? If there is nothing to appeal to then it shouldn't matter that you appealed to it. No harm, No foul.
-
Permalink Reply by Marc on
-
Point taken. It means nothing to me, but my believer friends take some delight in hearing me say it and read too much into it.
For example I was at the Jordan River a few weeks ago and watching and video recording people baptize themselves in the river, wearing their required baptismal gowns that they dutifully paid $25 a piece for. As I filmed someone dunking themselves three times in the water, I can be overheard on the recording saying 'Oh-my-god' quite emphatically.
It was an absurd comment in an absurd situation. I would love to substitute it with 'Would Darwin believe?' or some such thing.
On the subject of the baptismal gowns, I think the best picture I took on the whole trip was a picture of the cash register where people paid, it had I sign on it that said 'Baptismal Cashier'. If that didn't sum up a few thousand years of religion quite nicely...
What's new today
Events
Forum
Is your trust in science based on faith or based on science?
Started by G in Ethics & Morals. Last reply by Pope OoO (Out of Order) 1 hour ago. 366 Replies 0 Likes
Blog Posts
Christian Man Claims Native American Statue On License Plate Violates His Freedom Of Religion, Sues Oklahoma
Posted by Rob Klaers on June 17, 2013 at 2:00am 5 Comments 3 Likes
Videos
The Latest Giz Gad
Services we love
Check out our new mobile/tablet version of Think Atheist! www.ThinkAtheist.com/m
© 2013 Created by Morgan Matthew.
