NationStates

Farnhamia wrote:For me, it's Edmund Wilson's "I have had a good many more uplifting thoughts, creative and expansive visions — while soaking in comfortable baths or drying myself after bracing showers — in well-equipped American bathrooms than I have ever had in any cathedral."

As for personal growth, Gagatron, the only one listening is you, but if that works for you, who am I to deny it to you?

Although I feel we have very different views on the subject, I find your quote extremely truthful. I feel so uncomfortable in churches and cathedrals. I'd rather just pray at home...alone.

Gagatron wrote:Have you ever prayed? If so, what benefits did it bring? Who did you pray to? How did you pray? How many prayer experiences have you had?

Yes, I have prayed every night for the past 3 years. I don't really know if the praying did anything to make the/a God(s) bring benefits to me, but it made me feel more confident. Since I believed in God more fervently 3 years ago than I do now, I can really say it helped me a lot and still helps me, even if the help is only in my mind. Even though I don't believe the same way I did 3 years ago, I still believe there is a God(s) of some sort, just with different thoughts about him/her than I did 3 years ago.

I pray to the Christian God. I do so by folding my hands and praying silently. If by prayer experiences, you mean, an experience while praying or a direct answer later, none that I can recall.

I cast spells when I need to...

I pray every day for the opportunity to rend the flesh of those who wrong me.
Ironically, the one instance was only granted me when I was an atheist.

Hossaim wrote:No, praying is pointless. There is no god to there you, a point we made last thread, the one you quite because you had no answer for us, and were scared and to proud to admit that we were right, so you ran,because he doesn't exist, and you can't admit it.

this

/thread.

UCUMAY wrote:I cast spells when I need to...

Did you get given a scar at birth thanks to some convoluted plotline that I never really managed to follow?

I used to pray a lot when I was Catholic. Looking back, I never really felt anything supernatural at all. I felt good about myself because I actually thought I was helping. As if any half-way decent God couldn't realize that NYC needed help after 9/11 or that starving people could use some food. Now I realize that actually acting is much better than talking to myself about acting.

Georgism wrote:

UCUMAY wrote:I cast spells when I need to...

Did you get given a scar at birth thanks to some convoluted plotline that I never really managed to follow?

it is very simple ,i can explain it to you in TG.

Innsmothe wrote:I pray every day for the opportunity to rend the flesh of those who wrong me.
Ironically, the one instance was only granted me when I was an atheist.

They let you on the internet in prison?

Hossaim wrote:

Georgism wrote:Did you get given a scar at birth thanks to some convoluted plotline that I never really managed to follow?

it is very simple ,i can explain it to you in TG.

It's okay, I never really liked Harry Potter all that much anyway - despite reading all the books.

Georgism wrote:

UCUMAY wrote:I cast spells when I need to...

Did you get given a scar at birth thanks to some convoluted plotline that I never really managed to follow?

I have scars from my life but not from 'some convoluted plotline'. Unless, you want to consider my life some sick disturbing soap opera.

Georgism wrote:

Innsmothe wrote:I pray every day for the opportunity to rend the flesh of those who wrong me.
Ironically, the one instance was only granted me when I was an atheist.

They let you on the internet in prison?

I was only able to do superficial injuries, no matter how gruesome.
I did not get let off though, community service and an ASBO.

UCUMAY wrote:I have scars from my life but not from 'some convoluted plotline'. Unless, you want to consider my life some sick disturbing soap opera.

Real life is better than any soap opera.

Yes I do. I pray to Jehovah and to other deities. Prayer is not an essential part of my religion, but I find it comforting.

Innsmothe wrote:I was only able to do superficial injuries, no matter how gruesome.

Damn. Maybe next time eh?

I did not get let off though, community service and an ASBO.

You'd fit in perfectly 'round here. They're basically a symbol of pride for a lot of people I know

Georgism wrote:

UCUMAY wrote:I have scars from my life but not from 'some convoluted plotline'. Unless, you want to consider my life some sick disturbing soap opera.

Real life is better than any soap opera.

My life is a testament to that statment.

Hossaim wrote:No, praying is pointless. There is no god to there you, a point we made last thread, the one you quite because you had no answer for us, and were scared and to proud to admit that we were right, so you ran,because he doesn't exist, and you can't admit it.

I'm sure that you probably also find grammar to be useless as well.

United Dependencies wrote:

Hossaim wrote:No, praying is pointless. There is no god to there you, a point we made last thread, the one you quite because you had no answer for us, and were scared and to proud to admit that we were right, so you ran,because he doesn't exist, and you can't admit it.

I'm sure that you probably also find grammar to be useless as well.

not my fault i have the world's worst keyboard, and a highly confusing thought process.

Georgism wrote:

UCUMAY wrote:I have scars from my life but not from 'some convoluted plotline'. Unless, you want to consider my life some sick disturbing soap opera.

Real life is better than any soap opera.

As long as you remember to use soap, that is.

Hossaim wrote:

United Dependencies wrote:I'm sure that you probably also find grammar to be useless as well.

not my fault i have the world's worst keyboard, and a highly confusing thought process.

What does the keyboard have to do with it?

United Dependencies wrote:

Hossaim wrote:not my fault i have the world's worst keyboard, and a highly confusing thought process.

What does the keyboard have to do with it?

typos, aka not registering me typing the second o on too.

Hossaim wrote:

United Dependencies wrote:What does the keyboard have to do with it?

typos, aka not registering me typing the second o on too.

Funny, my keyboard doesn't do that either.

edit:In fact nothing does this on my computer save Microsoft Word and the Safari browser I don't use.

Georgism wrote:

Innsmothe wrote:I was only able to do superficial injuries, no matter how gruesome.

Damn. Maybe next time eh?

I did not get let off though, community service and an ASBO.

You'd fit in perfectly 'round here. They're basically a symbol of pride for a lot of people I know

Unfortunately, most of those people tend to earn my anger.

I've recited more prayers than I can remember, if that counts.

Buffett and Colbert wrote:

Gagatron wrote:
Wow, you live in a depressing universe.

I get the sense that Farn is pretty happy, actually.

I am, Buffy, quite happy. Oh, there are things I would change, but on the whole, can't complain, mustn't grumble.

Gaga, I meant no disrespect. Really, your beliefs are your beliefs, and if you believe that a supernatural being hears your prayers and brings you personal growth and calm, good for you. I myself prefer to put on an Antonio Carlos Jobim album and just bask in the music.

I used to pray occasionally when things got desperate, prayed for things like peace with my enemies, love with my friends and family, heal the sick etc...
Now I only pray before dinner at my grandparent's table. They don't really take too kindly to atheists like me .

I do however meditate, which isn't really praying because all I'm doing is trying to calm myself down and try to stop the obsessive thoughts from spinning around in my head like a fucking merry-go-round.