My goodness, SJ, this a a big change from what I've seen of you in the past. Why the change?
To answer your questions:
Does it make sense to be involved in organized religion just because religion has always been apart of the human experience?
Actually, yes it does. Humans are social/pack animals. It makes perfect sense for us to organize religion. By doing so we create a community which leads to an extended family/sense of belonging. That is totally normal.
What is abnormal for humans is to be the "lone wolf".
Does it make sense to pray in an organized manner and not expect anything in terms of prayers being answered? (In other words, understanding that certain things point towards the existence of God but lean towards a deism)
Again, yes it does as organized prayer gives the sense of belonging. Understanding that not every prayer will be answered is a matter of understanding that not everything we pray about needs to be answered.
Is it really that big of a change? Hmm, I'd say it goes up an down like a bell curve. When I started believing again it went up obviously, when I have a good day at work, it goes up obviously; it was the same way when I was going to synagogue as a younger SJ before I became an atheist.
I do realize certain things can't be ignored like the reestablishment of Israel, and flood stories all over the world.
>> Again, yes it does as organized prayer gives the sense of belonging. Understanding that not every prayer will be answered is a matter of understanding that not everything we pray about needs to be answered.
I'm sure this kind of thinking keeps a person sane. XD The psychological benefits of praying can't be ignored.
2 comments:
My goodness, SJ, this a a big change from what I've seen of you in the past. Why the change?
To answer your questions:
Does it make sense to be involved in organized religion just because religion has always been apart of the human experience?
Actually, yes it does. Humans are social/pack animals. It makes perfect sense for us to organize religion. By doing so we create a community which leads to an extended family/sense of belonging. That is totally normal.
What is abnormal for humans is to be the "lone wolf".
Does it make sense to pray in an organized manner and not expect anything in terms of prayers being answered? (In other words, understanding that certain things point towards the existence of God but lean towards a deism)
Again, yes it does as organized prayer gives the sense of belonging. Understanding that not every prayer will be answered is a matter of understanding that not everything we pray about needs to be answered.
~Cora
Is it really that big of a change? Hmm, I'd say it goes up an down like a bell curve. When I started believing again it went up obviously, when I have a good day at work, it goes up obviously; it was the same way when I was going to synagogue as a younger SJ before I became an atheist.
I do realize certain things can't be ignored like the reestablishment of Israel, and flood stories all over the world.
>> Again, yes it does as organized prayer gives the sense of belonging. Understanding that not every prayer will be answered is a matter of understanding that not everything we pray about needs to be answered.
I'm sure this kind of thinking keeps a person sane. XD The psychological benefits of praying can't be ignored.
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