I being athiest try remember faith gives others comfort and hope etc but I myself see this as false hope. People pray for a dying relative the false hope pouring from them wishing them get better or live. How is this really comfort when they do die it's then God's will or their time join god. Again how this is comfort eludes me. But then I'm not religious so me this is no comfort. There me is simple acceptance they are no longer here. The grief before me my own and others is our selfish outlook that we no longer have these people comfort us or comfort. I struggle stop myself discrediting prayer I also struggle to see my friends use a faith to combat a natural grief. But I realise to them it's what they know. It's as much a part of them as my inner strength is to me. I have no interest in hurting friends now or battling someone's belief. It's up to them I just shake my head and keep my voice inside. Recently went to a funeral. Non religious no priest just family crying giving their feelings of grief to the world so sad but heartfelt. So honest.
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Faith is dangerous, since it is self perpetuating like a virus.
I have cancer, I have faith it will go because god will protect me.
I still have cancer, my faith was not strong enough, because I went to the doctor as well.
I STILL have cancer and it is getting worse, probably because even when I stopped seeing the doctor I still kept taking my medicine because my faith in god is not total.
I stopped seeing the doctor, I stopped taking my meds, I pray every day, I really believe god will cure his good and faithful servant... I... I ...oh
He had cancer, and though he had great faith, the Lord gathered him unto himself, we therefore must have faith that the Lord knows what he is doing.
LenHazell53
Level 9
Aug 15, 2018
0
My wife has a belief of sorts. She takes the view that her mother is in heaven. Whenever we visit churches, she lights candles in the memory of those she has lost and misses. I can’t see a problem with any of this. I am a self confident atheist and would rather she didn’t pray for me if I go first, but, to be honest, I doubt it will upset me all that much.
Regburns
Level 5
Aug 15, 2018
0
I wonder how many of those supposedly grieving funeral goers actually bother to spend time with the deceased when alive.
FrayedBear
Level 9
Aug 15, 2018
0
it's hard to talk about i agree with Marionville always in funeral i gave them love but i belive that death is the end of a life i have lost my father 4 years ago and i whished that to see him again but it's the universe rule and we should accept that know i just have some remembrance of my father and they calm me down
abarcopy
Level 4
Aug 15, 2018
1
I agree with you. Everything about religious belief is contradictory, but as you say if they find comfort in it we shouldn’t knock it. I always act respectfully at funerals and courteously towards the clergyman conducting the service. All my friends know I am an atheist and appreciate my attendance in support of them. At other times I may engage in discussion with them on the pros and cons of their beliefs but when they are grieving for a loved one I just try to show love.
Marionville
Level 10
Aug 15, 2018
2