Can an agnostic pray?

[Nakosis]

Hi,

I’m not a Christian or believer in any theism. But, sometimes I feel the need to go into a quiet church and pray, either for others or myself. This happens at difficult times, now and then.

There is some logic, possibly irrelevant.

1. A believer can pray because they believe there is a listener.

2. An atheist cannot pray because they do not believe there is a listener.

3. An agnostic can pray because they believe there may (or may not) be a listener.

But what does logic count for? OK, an agnostic can pray because there may be a listener or there may be something therapeutic just in the act of prayer itself. I don’t know, but I do feel something happening.

Any thoughts?

P.

You might want to consider meditation. Then it doesn't really matter if you believe there is a listener or not.
How to Meditate - How to Meditate

 

[Twilight Hue]

Hi,

I’m not a Christian or believer in any theism. But, sometimes I feel the need to go into a quiet church and pray, either for others or myself. This happens at difficult times, now and then.

There is some logic, possibly irrelevant.

1. A believer can pray because they believe there is a listener.

2. An atheist cannot pray because they do not believe there is a listener.

3. An agnostic can pray because they believe there may (or may not) be a listener.

But what does logic count for? OK, an agnostic can pray because there may be a listener or there may be something therapeutic just in the act of prayer itself. I don’t know, but I do feel something happening.

Any thoughts?

P.

Maybe you should make a personal altar.

Churches have a very good atmosphere in general for contemplation.

I'm not agnostic because I don't see any possibilities available that would even suggest there is a deity or type of intelligence at play.

Even so, I still like having conversations with the universe because it's something tangible for which I and all of us are apart of so I get the impression something is "listening". It's the closest I've gotten to the definition of prayer since I left Christianity.