Do you talk to God?

[Runt]

I'm sorry Carrdero, but I simply can't agree. I don't believe in God, so as far as I'm concerned it is NOT true that God is listening, or available 24-7, etc. However, I do not grudge your relationship with him or her or scorn your belief... as I said, even if God doesn't exist (and again, i don't believe it does), I don't think talking to him or her will hurt you; in fact, as I stated previously, I think it is far more likely to help you than to harm you.

 

[Watcher]

I find meditation to be very relaxing. Whenever I meditate, a feeling of peacefullness just fills me up. I have felt closer to god during meditation then I ever did praying.

 

[Runt]

I like meditating too Watcher. Partially because meditation can serve the same purpose for me as prayer does for a theist... only it doesn't require that I speak TO anyone, especially anyone that I don't believe exists.

 

[robtex]

I would talk to God, but I don't have His cell phone number.

Only kidding.

Seriously, and respectfully, as an atheist, I do not believe in God, therefore I don't believe in prayer. I have never seen any evidence that prayer has an effect on anything.

I have had people tell me that they are going to pray for me. Then, they say, "But I guess you don't believe in prayer." I respond, "I don't believe in prayer, but I do believe in people who pray for me--and I greatly appreciate their concern."
PEACE

in lew of prayer do you have a spirtual (athiestic) protocal?

 

[retrorich]

in lew of prayer do you have a spirtual (athiestic) protocal?

What is your definition of "spiritual protocol"?

 

[cardero]

Runt writes: I'm sorry Carrdero, but I simply can't agree. I don't believe in God,

That is okay runt it is not necessary to believe in GOD and I K(NOW) you do not grudge my REALationship. I respect your beliefs as well.

 

[cardero]

robtex writes:in lew of prayer do you have a spirtual (athiestic) protocal?

Not really, I mean I meditate but there are many reasons why I meditate. There really isn't any spiritual etiquette that I follow.

 

[jewscout]

I light a candle and some incense and pray to G-d. I start off each prayer with the little hebrew i know, "Baruch atah Adanoi, Elohaynu, melech ha-olem..."="Blessed are you the Lrd, our G-d, King of the Universe..." and then i bust into the english. I think i do it in Hebrew because you can pray in any language but in Judaism the Orthodox tradition prefers doing it in Hebrew. Though i'm not part of that movement i think starting off in Hebrew is sorta my way of getting His attention. I spend alot of my time praying for other people, my family, my gf's family, my friends and their children. I also pray for all the people of the earth and i ask G-d to shine His light upon them that "they my begin to choose peace over war, compassion and understanding over bigotery, and love over hate." But i always ask G-d to grant me wisdom, to show me mercy and compassion and to help me find the right path for my life whatever it may be.:162:

 

[robtex]

What is your definition of "spiritual protocol"?

'''

I asked that question because that night I got an email from an athiest friend of mine here in texas (my resident state). she asked me (and sent the message out to others as well) to pray for margaret hassan who is a social worker that has been kidnapped in iraq.

It struck me as odd being asked by an athiest to say a prayer but than i when i stop and thought about it. I have found many of my athiests friends to be spiritual..in as far as they are emotionally moved and had wished but they just didn't have a God or entitiy to commune with (not neccessary petition) as they didn't believe in one.

So what I mean by spiritual protocol is the process you or any other athiests who answers, would go through when a friend or relative or love one is in need but the situation is beyond your scope of influence.

 

[robtex]

Not really, I mean I meditate but there are many reasons why I meditate. There really isn't any spiritual etiquette that I follow.

pat hope you don't mind my arguement but mediation is a protocol inasfar as it a redundant function within set parameters. The parameters are what is used to define it as mediation in the first place. Etiquette and protocol are close but not the same thing.

 

[cardero]

Robtex writes: pat hope you don't mind my arguement but mediation is a protocol inasfar as it a redundant function within set parameters. The parameters are what is used to define it as mediation in the first place. Etiquette and protocol are close but not the same thing.

I apologize I may have misunderstood the question.

 

[robtex]

I apologize I may have misunderstood the question.

well your no fun ...you should be telling me that english is obviously my second language with my broad generalzation and loose interepretations of the key words provided....

kidding....seriously..tell us about meditation prayer and you.

i see meditation as chilling out and never thought or would know how to apply it to prayer

 

[cardero]

Actually I meditate for visualization, I meditate for guidance, lately i have enjoyed waking up in bed and meditating on my dreams while they are still fresh. I meditate just to practice my breathing while I unwind or relax and then there is the meditation where it is just me, alone in darkness and silence. I call those 30 minutes ME TIME. Everybody deserves ME TIME-I mean THEIR TIME.
Meditation I usually reserve for development of the spirit while my prayers are reserved for my or anyone else's physical needs. I don't assume a position when I pray and they are mostly my thoughts or requests from other people that are occuring in my mind throughout the day.

 

[Ernestine]

I pray to God everyday throughout the day. It's a simple means of approaching him. God alone is called the "Hearer of prayer" and he listens with genuine empathy.

 

[huajiro]

I think that "God" constantly "talks" to me by guiding me through my conscience.

 

[Mystic]

There are no rituals. No candles. I just speak to God like I speak to you. And he does listen...and answer...maybe not the way you and I would expect. Sometimes he answers visually...sometimes I'll pick up a magazine and a line the magazine will be my answer..other times it'll be a song on the radio...or someone I've been thinking about will phone. Most often...people will appear in my life just when I need them.

I like to talk to him when I'm walking on my lunch hour...or when I'm walking the dog because my mind is clearer then and there are no interruptions.

The other night I told him that I loved him and a star got really bright in the sky..in fact it was so bright there was another couple walking by who stopped to look at it.

I'm not imagining any of this. God is real in my life. I'm just trying to understand what he wants of me. What my mission is.

 

[huajiro]

There are no rituals. No candles. I just speak to God like I speak to you. And he does listen...and answer...maybe not the way you and I would expect. Sometimes he answers visually...sometimes I'll pick up a magazine and a line the magazine will be my answer..other times it'll be a song on the radio...or someone I've been thinking about will phone. Most often...people will appear in my life just when I need them.

I like to talk to him when I'm walking on my lunch hour...or when I'm walking the dog because my mind is clearer then and there are no interruptions.

The other night I told him that I loved him and a star got really bright in the sky..in fact it was so bright there was another couple walking by who stopped to look at it.

I'm not imagining any of this. God is real in my life. I'm just trying to understand what he wants of me. What my mission is.

I am not trying to knock you, but it seems like you take about anything as a sign from "God". The ticking of the clock could be taken as a response to a question, the microwave beeping when your food is done. I can accept that you have faith that he/she is there, but everyday occurrences are not proof of this. Your own faith should be good enough.

 

[painted wolf]

Yeah, I pray... I'm not shure how to eleaborate on that but I'll give it a go.
sometimes when I'm at a gathering we all stand together and hold hands while a respected elder gives a quick spoken prayer. When we open our drum for playing we offer up tobacco and a prayer (in cherokee) the men place thier hands on the drum and the women on the sholders of the men, to connect with creator and the spirit of the drum. Playing the drum (or flute or rattle) and singing are also forms of prayer as is dancing. When I can, I offer tobacco or smudge when I pray. I cant always do this but I try to have some on me at all times. Some prayers are long and sometimes I open up with a little cherokee that I know, but most are just quick little thank you's for things like a beautiful sunset or a good day. I also offer my thanks to the things that make my life better like the sun and wind and whatever.

hope this helps.

wa:do