Foxhole Atheist

If religious dogma were eliminated within a society and reality accepted for what it is, I believe many individuals would then be contemplating themselves when considering a course of action in the face of some misgiving or grievous situation. In this light, they would not be praying to some virgin, saint or god, looking for some divine guidance and thereby postponing or relieving themselves altogether from the resolution of their own dilemma. Quite possibly, this could make that society stronger by getting the citizenry to think more rationally.

Now, there are some who will say that prayer has been shown to be of some benefit in helping certain individuals get through some difficult times. I’m not certain that this is not the case and I’m willing to allow some validity to this concept but only from the stand point that it relieves the individual from an immediate psychological burden within their own mind. I certainly do not believe that any benefit is derived from any supernatural occurrence or divine intervention.

Many times when I was considerably younger, when I would find myself going through an emotional or difficult situation, I would have to fight like hell to overcome my early conditioning. My mind would seek a remedy outside of my own mind for the particular condition of the time, especially when difficulties arose.

Through time, I have been able to accept what I perceive as the real world. When difficulties arise, I’m fully cognizant that any remedies to the situation must come from within myself. I must resolve the issue either alone or in consultation with another that is able to advise me in the matter. My mind never moves in the direction of the metaphysical.

Many times, I utilize a relaxation technique. This is usually accompanied by an audio tape with some very soft and soothing melodies. It is similar to meditiation techniques in that you focus on something within your mind in an effort to allow your physiological self to relax and cope with whatever it is that is bothering you at the time.

Now this rarely happens in that I have learned how not to allow situations to get out of hand to the point of being bothersome or disturbing. I take care of business when it has to be taken care of. The concept of fairness, or unfairness, never enters my mind any longer. To me, reality is impartial and it is myself that must cope with it in maintaining my own well being.

Bree

I see prayer vs. meditation as the difference between passing power to some unknown being and realising that power for yourself.

For example, say a person is going through "hard times" - doesn't matter what, let's say <gasp> a troubled marriage. If one were to pray for a speedy resolution, i.e. "Lord, please make our relationship whole again" that person is passing what power they have over the situation to someone that A) doesn't exist, and B) wouldn't care even if He did. Now, if one were to meditate/think critically about the situation, the person would be forced to see that NO ONE but him/herself has the power to change the situation.

All in all, I see prayer as the wimp's way out. Don't want to take responsibility to enact change? Pray - then you can say that God simply said "no" to whatever you prayed about.

IvanK

Praying is like wishing in one respect. Both imply that the ability to acquire the object prayed or wished for is not in the sole power of the prayer or wisher. The difference is that one might pray for divine assistance in accomplishing a difficult goal but would probably not wish for same, while one could both pray and wish for, say, good weather for a picnic or the absence of jet airliners crashing into tall buildings. Both praying and wishing might be helpful on a personal level but are unlikely to change the course of human events.

butswana

It's passing the buck. A fucking cop-out. You can relieve yourself of any and all responsibility.